I was in Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago looking for things to alter for the show and this little wooden wheelbarrow caught my eye. I knew the name of the line but hadn't seen it yet. With the name "Green At Heart" I kept thinking about gardening and earthiness. I wouldn't so much say that is the focus of the collection, but it kind of stuck on that with me. What could fit better with what I was thinking about the line than a garden wheelbarrow, right?
Altering the wheelbarrow in my mind at the store was easy, altering at home was a bit more involved. I generally disassemble pieces as much as I can to recover them. Unfortunately, the box part of this piece doesn't really come apart. I knew I wanted to make each slat a different color so I measured and cut each piece to fit onto the still assembled box. It took a ton of time, but I think in the end, looks really cool. It reminds me of really old time farm stuff that people made from whatever they had on hand including mismatch re-purposed lumber. The pattern to the paper really has that kind of old and weathered paint feel to it to me.
I was actually able to get the wheel out so it got a new paper face and a fun chip element at the center.
A fun wheelbarrow is cute, but what do you do with it? I decided the project needed a purpose, so I decided a recipe card holder would be really fun.
I used the fun little note elements on each tab for the labels and as fun flowers paired with the delicious fabric covered brads.
It is always funny to me that the collection I don't instantly connect with when I first see it, usually ends up being a project I really love. That happened with this collection. I liked it, but I am drawn to much softer colors. Bold colors sometimes stump me as to what to do with them. I ended up saving this project to last, which is what I do with the one that doesn't click for me. The more I worked with it, the more I fell in love with the bright distressed solids and the vivid patterns. Once again, the one that didn't click instantly became a favorite project!
Tomorrow's project is my other top favorite project and features the Origins collection. I can't wait to share it so be sure and come back tomorrow to see it!
