Thrifty Style Team Projects, Where are they now?

April's Thrifty Style Team post is a where are they now? update on five of my past thrifty monthly projects.  You can find the links to all the projects I mention at the bottom.

April showers bring May flowers, but I'm not sure what April snow brings besides more shoveling and mud when it melts.

Current View From My Window, No Spring Has Arrived

Last year this time we were outside in the fresh air sprucing up the yard after winter.  That won't be happening anytime soon this year.

By the beginning of April the lake had thawed three weeks earlier, and this year looks to thaw three weeks later.  That means yard work has to wait, which is fine, but it also means less time to accomplish it.

I will just think of the April snow and cold temperature as a extension of hot chocolate drinking season instead of a slow start to thrifting season.

One of my favorite thrifty updates was this old tool tote, bought for a buck.  Or maybe it was two bucks?  I don't remember. 

The tote has moved around a bit and is currently sitting on top of the fireplace cabinet, filled with dried hydrangeas from last Fall.

I moved it there last year to get it out of the way when we needed the dining room table, and not only have the hydrangeas stayed, that's where the tote stayed as well.  If we never used our table I would probably put it back, but we do and really need something that has a lower height than the tote so you can see the person sitting across the table when you chat.

I like that the tote fills the empty space on the mantel, and although it will probably move again, I have no intention of taking it out of circulation.

It also happens to be maple syrup making season right now so the tote is on my mind.  Our trees are tapped and we are waiting on some fresh maple goodness to pour over pancakes.

Another past project I enjoy on a daily basis are the recycled barn doors that hide the bedroom television.  These were a true trash to treasure project as the doors came out of the dumpster on a job site.

The vintage style box car handles are big and heavy and the perfect size for the doors.

All the packages on the hearth are gone, but the barn doors definitely won't be going anywhere, and might just be the all time favorite thrifty project around here.

A family birthday chart I made from an old wooden calendar is in use, and every month I update it with the next couple birthdays.

It sits on a narrow slice of wall by the breakfast nook which is a noticeable spot for a reminder.  The calendar has room for two upcoming birthdays, and helps give the whole family a visual on who is next to celebrate.  It also alerts us to the date we might next partake in a tasty baked treat.

The calendar has an old world patina from layering copper metallic paint over a green color.  I painted all the little slats black to look like chalkboard, but the only thing that is chalk is the space to fill in the candle count and favorite dessert.

The little suitcase below was almost tossed, but then I decided I could make something that was right at home in my neck of the Minnesota woods.

I painted over the ship and lettering, but used similar colors as the background so I didn't have to paint the sides which would cover up the suitcase stitching that I liked.

It is perched in our guest room, which seems like a good place for a suitcase.

My last featured Thrifty Style Team project is a pair of brown ginger jar lamps thrifted from a garage sale.

The lamps received a new coat of Rustoleum Milk Glass spray paint, a couple of garage sale deconstructed shades, and Edison light bulbs.

And where are they now?  They remain where I first intended them to go - on my painted thrifted dresser next to a thrift store Howitzer box with a garage sale mirror above.

Last but not least are the links to my Thrifty Style Team Partners, so make sure to stop in and see what they have styled for April.

 Redhead Can Decorate

2 Bees in a Pod

At the Picket Fence

Bliss Ranch

Chatfield Court

Cottage at the Crossroads

The How To Home

DIY Beautify

Duke Manor Farm

I Should be Mopping the Floor

Salvage Sister and Mister

Smart Fun DIY

The Painted Hinge Farmhouse

What Meegan Makes

An InLinkz Link-up

Links to Bliss Ranch featured Thrifty Projects:

Maple Syrup Tool Tote

Barn Door TV Coverup

Birthday Calendar

Minnesota Suitcase 

Lamps