It’s no secret that Emily and I enjoy grabbing junk treasures from trash piles on the side of the road. Especially, when we can see so much potential in the item. For example, this cute revamped mini folding table and chairs that I recently found and made over.

Since we didn’t already own a little table and chair set for the kids, when I saw this small set abandoned on the curb, I thought it would at least be worth the effort to try and fix it up. We don’t have tons of extra space for un-needed furniture, but since these fold up, they will be easy enough to store when they aren’t in use.

As you can see, they were in pretty rough shape. The chair seats and backs were faded and the table top had some ugly water damage. We love the Buckeyes here, but some changes needed to happen to make this little grouping look better.

Unfortunately, I didn’t document taking the screws out of the seats, backs and table top to detach them. Or spray painting each of the frame pieces white. Oops! But I did do those things.

I decided to recover the parts of the chairs with black and white ticking fabric and the top of the table with chalk cloth.

Using a combination of staples and E6000 multipurpose adhesive, I attached the fabrics (cut to size) to each item.

Finally, everything was reattached to the newly painted frames and ready for use.

What do you think of this little table and chair set? Isn’t it adorable in it’s new black and white attire? I love that the kids will be able to use this for so many things. Coloring, crafts, snack-time, etc. Plus, since there is chalk cloth on the top, they can draw directly on it. Yay!

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It’s no secret that Erin and I drive around on garbage day hoping to snatch up some wonderful treasures. With spring cleaning season approaching, it is time to prepare. There have been many times that I have found something curbside that I just can’t resist, but don’t have the tools I need to bring it home. That’s when it hit me, I need a garbage picking kit to keep in my car. This project may not be for your “Average Joe”, but if you are a garbage picker, dumpster diver, Craigslist purchaser, garage sale hunter or storage locker auction goer, then this kit would be right for you.

Since I am out searching the side of the roads for discarded items, I obviously don’t have tons of money to throw away on a garbage picking kit. That’s why I jazzed up an old shoe box and shopped at the dollar store and found everything I needed to assemble the perfect pack.

1. Wrench – Loosen up any of those tight nuts and bolts with a wrench to help even the largest items fit in your vehicle.

2. Shower Curtain – A shower curtain may seem like a silly thing to include in this kit, but I assure you it makes a great back seat protection cover for those items that just don’t fit in your trunk.

3. Box Cutter – This box cutter comes in real handy when someone else tries to make off with your treasure. (Only kidding.)

4. Rope – Rather than have your friend half hang out of the car to hold onto an unwanted desk (true story), secure it in your car with rope. This way you can drive safely back to your home.

5. First Aid Kit – Fix up any of those cuts and scratches that come with the job.

6. Flashlight – Use a flashlight to shine a little light on the subject. Erin and I probably should have had one of these bad boys along that time we found that old couch with mouse dropping under the cushions. Eww!

7. Gloves – Let’s face it, you are picking up someone else’s trash. Gloves just make sense.

8. Screwdriver – For all of your screwdriver needs, this 10 piece multi-tool will do the trick.

9. Pliers – Use pliers to pull out those sharp staples or nails before you resuce that “well-loved” furniture. This will save the interior of your car from needing that first aid kit.

10. Hardware Storage Box – After removing the screws, nuts and bolts from your find, store them in a hardware box (not pictured above) so you don’t have to search your entire car for them later.

After writing this post, I started to think maybe this sounds like a joke. Well my friends, it is not. I will be keeping my kit in my car all year-round so I am always prepared.

*Before going garbage picking, be sure to check you town’s ordinances. You don’t want to do anything illegal and have the cherries and berries after you.

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It’s time to take control of your life and get yourself organized with these amazing free organizational printables!

Plan out the rest of your year with these fun monthly calendar pages.

What’s for dinner? This weekly menu planner and grocery list page will get you organized and help keep you on budget by preventing impulse pizza deliveries.

Does your family have a hectic schedule? This weekly calendar offers an area to write down each member of your family’s itinerary into the corresponding spaces with the days of the week.

Spring cleaning is right around the corner. Use this checklist as a helpful guide to complete all of this season’s chores.

Keep your house clean with this easy-to-use weekly cleaning schedule.

For your busiest days, fill out this chart and stay on track.

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Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and we wanted to share some fun printable Valentine’s Day Cards for 2015. These cute cards will be perfect to send with the kiddos to school (“not too gushy” as my 10 year old would say) and can be easily shared with friends, family or your love.

All of our printables are currently FREE for download for personal use only. However, this is subject to change in the future, so snag them at no cost while you still can! (View Terms of Use.)

Download yours for FREE in The Gallery!

If you are looking for a little variety, you can grab our 2014 Valentine’s Day Cards too.

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