Finding a Use for...

 Have you ever gone to a yard sale and saw something

and said,

"What in the world is that?"

It's pretty sad when you say that
and then actually buy it.

But it was sturdy, heavy wood
and only a dollar or two.

Those are good qualities, right?

It sat in my basement for a few weeks
until one day when I realized what my reality was:

I have countless kids books taking over my house.

These are Violet's school books for this year:

These are Levi's

(and probably Lillie's as well)

These are supplemental books for the kids
that go with the theme of Violet's schooling this year:
learning about people and places around the world.

(And this is what happens when my son sees me...

spreading books he hasn't seen

across the floor to take pictures for my blog.)

It dawned on me

that perhaps the wooden thing would be a better way to display

(and have them be able to put back)

books.

I got out my good ol' Annie Sloan Chalk paint

and base-coated the thing with Provence Blue.

I let it dry.

Then I mixed a dab of Provence, Antibes Green, and Paris Grey

for a lighter color,

added some water

and used it as a wash all over.

A clear wax with just a touch of Rugger wax
completed the durability of the paint.

I placed the books upright in the sections...

and was happy to see it holds lots of books
and because it is so heavy
it won't topple over.

The kids are able to pick out

and replace

(that being the key ingredient that was missing before)

the books that they want to view.

It's always a happy moment when you actually find something useful
and it works.

Now we can start school...

as soon as I get the promised treasure hunt map finished
for our first day:


Arghh.



Linking up to:

funkyjunkinteriors: I've Got Guts

iheartnaptime