Wednesday, July 22, 2020

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Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Hey there, Besties! 🌟


You might recall the magic I worked on an old dining bench, right? Well, guess what? I had its twin - a charming end table - waiting for its moment of transformation. I initially toyed with the idea of creating another bench, but this time, I craved a simpler project. And so, the journey of giving this end table a farmhouse-style makeover began!

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

The Adventure Begins: Prepping the End Table

The makeover kicked off with this endearing end table. Oh, those legs! They had a charm that tugged at my heartstrings. Cutting them down for our bench project was a tough call but necessary.


I tried detaching the top before painting, but it was a stubborn little thing! So, painting first, it was, and later, with some help from my dear husband, we managed to remove the top.


Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
The Magic of Crackle Paint: Achieving a Distressed Farmhouse Look

I'm no stranger to crackle paint, having used it on several pieces (like our dining benchchair planter, and solar chandelier). This time was no different. The process started with a dark brown base coat, mimicking a rich, dark stain. Next came the crackle layer. And finally, the top coat was applied when the crackle was just tacky enough. The result? A beautifully distressed finish that screams farmhouse chic!

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Crafting the Perfect Top: A Journey to Home Depot

The original top was far from perfect - not solid wood and riddled with imperfections. So, off to Home Depot, we went in search of the perfect board to craft a new top. The process was surprisingly straightforward - one board, a few cuts, and voilà! We opted for nails to secure the boards, adding to the antique feel of the piece.

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com


Sanding and Distressing: Giving Life to New Wood

Our trusty miter saw is a bit dull and didn't leave the cleanest of cuts. So, sanding was essential to smooth out the rough edges and unify the look. But the fun didn't stop there!


We unleashed our creativity with a chain and hammer to age the new boards, diligently working to distress the wood. The goal was to give it a seasoned, lived-in look, and we nailed it!


Staining and Sealing: The Finishing Touches

I mixed Jacobean and Special Walnut for the stain to create a custom shade. It was the perfect blend to complement the crackled base. After applying several coats of polyurethane, our end table was not just transformed but reborn.

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com


The Thrill of the Sale: A Surprising Outcome

With the end table complete, curiosity got the best of me, and I listed it on Facebook Marketplace. Selling pieces always gives me butterflies - will others love them as much as I do? To my delight, the table found a new home within an hour! 🌟

Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
Farmhouse-style end table makeover | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com


What's Next? More Projects, More Stories

This quick sale has sparked a fire in me. Our basement is brimming with furniture, begging for a second chance. I'm more excited than ever to roll up my sleeves and dive into these projects. And you know what? I'm bringing you along for every step, every brushstroke, and every joyful discovery.


Stay tuned, Besties, for more tales of transformation and creativity. It's not just furniture we're reviving; it's the spirit of making a house a home. 🛠️🌱


Monday, July 13, 2020

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building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Hey there, Besties! 🌟


Our Tomato Trellis Adventure is in Full Swing!

Our beloved tomato plants are living their best lives this year, growing so magnificently that they're practically calling out for some extra TLC. Our little green friends are thriving. It's time to step up our support game!


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
Starting Strong with Tomato Cages and Stakes

Initially, we thought we were set with the tomato cages we had lying around and a bunch of stakes. Oh, how wrong we were! Our tomato family had bigger plans, quickly outgrowing these initial supports. Even our sturdiest cages were no match for these vigorous vines!


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
DIY Inspiration: Pinterest to the Rescue!

You know me, always on Pinterest looking for that next burst of inspiration. And voila! I stumbled upon a homemade tomato trellis that had me thinking, "This is it!" James and I were on board for this new project, ready to give our tomatoes the royal treatment they deserved.


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
Gathering Supplies: A Trip to Tractor Supply and More

Our shopping list? Simple but effective. We picked up posts from Tractor Supply and armed ourselves with 17 gauge electric fence wire – almost an entire roll of it! This sturdy setup promised to be the backbone for our ambitious trellis design.


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
The Great Build: A Saturday with James and Wires

James dedicated a Saturday morning to this project, stringing the trellis with the precision of a craftsman. We initially planned for posts at the ends of our tomato rows, but oh no, we needed more! Mid-row posts joined the party, ensuring our tomatoes had all the support they could dream of.


Designing the Trellis: Weaving Dreams into Reality

James wrapped the wire meticulously, creating a snug home between the plants. Our tomatoes could now rest easy on their wire cradle, growing tall and proud. We even integrated the cages into this design for extra love and support.


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Tomato Trellising – A Labor of Love

We're now in the heart of the process, weaving our tomatoes around their new trellis. The scorching heat has made gardening a bit of a challenge, but we're sneaking in those precious early morning and nighttime hours to tend to our green babies. The trellis was our main goal, and now it's all about the gentle art of weaving.


Expect the Unexpected: Our Tomato Jungle!

Who would've thought? This is our fourth gardening season, and we're staring in awe at the most gigantic tomato plants we've ever seen. Little tomatoes are already popping up, promising a bountiful harvest.


building trellis supports for tomato plants | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com
Next Time: Early Trellising is Key!

If there's one thing we've learned, it's that building a trellis early on makes life so much easier. But hey, we're all about embracing the unexpected here at On the Creek. For now, our focus is on providing the best support for our overachievers – here's to a tomato-filled year!


Stay tuned for more updates, and don't forget to drop by our blog for all the juicy details! Until next time, keep shining and growing, just like our tomatoes! 🌱🍅

Monday, July 06, 2020

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Garden update for June 2020 | On The Creek Blog

Here's the garden update for June 2020!

The garden is off to a great start this year!

We planted the garden over Memorial Day weekend this year.  When we planted, the tomatoes were super tiny & I was afraid they weren't going to make it.  A few weeks in, I added the natural blood meal to the plants.  Then they really started to take off!

Our tomato plants are now huge!  They're the biggest tomato plants we've ever grown & it's only a little into July!








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