Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Trash or Treasure?

A few weeks ago...
"...One man's trash...is another man's ...maria's...um...I mean...man's treasure."


Joining Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday meme
for this week's "T" post!


Next door to the dental office I work at, there was a flooring shop. I don't know the particulars, only that they were relocating.   During lunch, I noticed there was a huge rubbish bin and a few men filling it up with odds and ends floor samples, shelves, light fixtures...

I had to ask... if all that was going to the dump. 
It was, and they said take what you want...

So, in my scrubs, during the last few minutes of my lunch break...I am picking through and setting aside some wonderful "treasures"!

My sweet hubby got a call from me to please stop on his way home from work and pick up some wonderful stuff for me... (I drive my mini so there was no way I could put a shelf in there).

Now I have to say that My Handsome Honey is Mr. Organizer and has been working diligently in our garage, going through boxes and getting rid of stuff that I tend to hold on to. (He has been doing this without my help, cuz if I were going through the boxes and stuff in the garage, I would be "saving" more than I should).

Well.....there was a whole lot of stuff that those guys at the flooring store were still tossing over the next few days! 

Two days later, I was off of work, but drove by to see if there was any other treasures to discover.
Here's my trusty little workhorse...


 I do admit that as I was driving back home, I did wonder how low to the ground I was with all that heavy tile!!! The mini rides low already!

The passenger's seat was full, as well as the back.

There were about 30 back boards of tile samples...I'm thinking some of this could be used to do mosaics.

And...there were two full boxes of 20 -8x10 tiles each.

Aren't these two tiles gorgeous? ...these and some of the other unique ones could be used in-laid into a table top. ...or a wooden box cover.


Here is the shelf that I had my hubby bring home in his truck, along with wood floor samples.  The shelves have some other tiles that I had hauled home in my mini...there are about 60 or more tiles!

And then there are the back boards with carpet samples...all which are bound and ready to use...
See? Here is one of them at the door to our garage from inside our laundry room.

Now...this one was a carpet sample on a display that was to simulate stairs. 
(I think that my Handsome Honey had about enough of all my treasures! And the fake stairs was the last straw! haha)
So, I said that I would take it apart and bind the two unbound edges.

So...with a lot of muscle and handy-dandy wire cutters, I was able to get that off the fake stairs.

Gee! They secured that thing on with a bazillion heavy duty staples!


 ...but ta-dah! I had success!

Here it is in front of the drawers that I keep some of my art supplies in. (You can see that each end still needs to be bound so that it doesn't unravel, but it is really plush, thick and beautiful.
I just put it here temporarily, just to see how it looks. After I bind it, I dont know where I will put it.


Here is a close up of that carpet sample that I got off the fake display stairs.
 The flash made the color a little different... 
...the actual color is like the previous photo.


Here it is from another angle.
You can see the hand woven rug, by the front door,  that my Handsome Honey bought when he was deployed in Iraq.

Oh..here is a close up of the beautiful, hand-woven rug from Iraq.


...so...thank you for stopping by to see some of my "finds" :o) What would you do with a bunch of tiles?
 My hubby is pretty patient with my "finds"....but to a point! If they don't become something"useful"...they will have to go! :o)
**********
Here are some recent orders:

This monogram for Erin and her hubby Chris is under what I call "Calligraphics". Each initial in the monogram is composed of the name that the initial represents. 



This Delta logo was drawn for Bret, who works with Delta airlines. This is the current Delta logo.



Please check out my facebook art pate and I'd love if you become a "fan" by liking the page.

& Next week I will finally post the instructions on the cathedral quilt. If you have any suggestions or short cuts, please do come by next week and leave a comment. 

Thank you for visiting and your kind comments. :o) 
I will be sure to return your lovely visit.

Signature for blog

27 comments:

Unknown said...

I look forward to seeing all you can create with the tiles.

Pondside said...

You and I think alike!
I'd be making a nice tile-topped table or two for the veranda as well as some nice mosaics for putting under plants on the patio.

LV said...

With your talent and creative mind, you will turn all those finds into something nice. You are a pack rat. And, that is okay as everything sounds like it can be used. Thanks as always for visiting. Love seeing where you have been by.

Miss Sweet Tea said...

Oh my goodness, I can't believe you drive a Mini! I want one so bad!! I bet you look just adorable cruising around town in that thing :)

Can't wait to see what you create with your new treasures!

Alely said...

i live by that quote "someone else's junk, is someone else's treasure" i love those great finds! especially when they are free!

Judie said...

OMG!!! What fantastic finds! I expect to see some wonderful mosaics from you in the near future.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

You've found many wonderful treasures..and like everyone else said, you're very talented and creative, so you will put those to great use soon!

Deborah aka Miss Bee said...

Oh, my word! I've never been so fortunate to have found a treasure trove such as you found!!!

I'm certainly going to watch for stores closing from now on!!!

xo
Deborah in NC

Jo said...

oh what great finds!!! i would have been all over that stuff as well ... enjoy it all!

Anonymous said...

Maria! What a great find!!! :-)

Slice of Pie Cookbooks and Entertaining said...

You've found some treasures ... and I'll be watching to see how you use them! We'd call you a "dumpster diver" in my town ... there are lots of us in that very exclusive club! Thanks for sharing this cute post.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh--you have the cutest blog! I am your newest follower...and you two are the most beautiful couple!!!
XO

Ames said...

I did a mosaic rug out of tiles on our back patio at the last house we lived in. It turned out so pretty. Share what you create with us!~Ames

Unknown said...

You are too funny, Maria! Wow, you really found a treasure trove of interesting things. No wonder you couldn't help bring so many things back! I absolutely love what you did with that carpet you found. Can't wait to see what else you'll make from the samples you brought back :)

Donnie said...

Looks like you had some good finds. Not being a crafty person I probably would not have even looked in the dumpster.

Anonymous said...

If you actually use it, it's wonderful treasure. In my case I tend to let it sit, so it would be trash. Hope you have fun with your treasures.

Teresa

Mrs. V said...

What a great treasure hunt!
Thanks for sharing our monogram, we are still in ♥ with it!

Sue McPeak said...

OMgosh Maria....I'd be hauling that stuff home, too! What a great bunch of treasures. Can't wait to see all the wonderful mosaics you will create. What a Terrifc Guy your husband is, too!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

It all looks like Treasure to me!

I can't wait to see what you do with the rest...I wish I had your creative abilities...

xxoo,

RMW

Jenny said...

A post after my own heart.

I would have joined you in an instant in this treasure hunt!

I love things like this AND you drive a mini!

Girl. You are my total hero in this post.

Thanks for a terrific stop this week on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "T".

Wow!

A+

xinex said...

I would have taken all those goodies home too but my hubby would have been right there along with me cause he's a hauler too, lolLove that rug, looks persian....Christine

Bearly Sane said...

Don't you just love it when you find such treasures for FREE? I bet you will have loads of fun making mosaics with those tile samples Maria. Can't wait to see your results now.
Warmest Hugs,
Sandi @ Ess D'Ess Bears and Bearly Sane Studio

Michelle A'etonu said...

OMG....what great finds! i'm with you on the trash to treasure stuff. i collect stuff too and malu is at his wits end trying to get me to de-clutter. most of the boxes that were shipped here are things that i've collected over the years, so i've been directed to go through them and get rid of stuff. Nooooooooo! but great job! you definitely have an eye for treasures!

Cindy Adkins said...

I just stopped over to say "hi" and hope you're having a great weekend...We just got back from the Mardi Gras parade...so fun!
XO

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

enjoy your treasure...

lovely shots...
:)

Short and Sweet said...

Your treasures are wonderful! Great job for repurposing these things.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I love all your finds! I hope you can use alot of the findings in your work. I love the rug from Iraq. Definitely a favorite of mine. Is there enough tiles to tile a floor? It's amazing what I can bring home from hardware store when it's still useful but we can't resell due to pkg missing. I've gained 2 hoses, a faucet and shower nozzle due to fazing out of system, to name a few. Once in awhile some paint for $5 cuz it was mismatched which boss doesn't like. Thank goodness I don't mix paint! It was good to visit you again. Hugs!

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