Do you know what a maker space is? Maybe there is one near you. I have a super maker space that I love going to in Jeffersonville IN.  In episode 26 of DIY with MRL, you'll hear all about the classes and events. Hop over to MyRepurposedLife.com for more details and show notes.

DIY with MRL

All About Maker 13

Stay safe in your wood shop with these 10 safety tips. Maybe nothing new, but definitely items you may need to remember. 

10 Power Tool Safety Tips

DIY with MRL Episode #24 We all have those times when it’s too hot or too cold to work on projects outside. Maybe you have a climate controlled shop, but I think the majority of us diy’ers battle the elements when we work on projects. In today’s podcast I talked about Jenny’s comment on Facebook. Jenny says: I've been enjoying repurposing silver flatware, was just wondering if you have done this as well I mostly redo/upcycled furniture but am finding this very therapeutic and easier in the hot temperatures we have to deal with, where I live in Central Coalfields, Queensland, Australia.   Beautiful job Jenny!  I haven’t made a project like this yet… maybe someday.   I talked about how I redid my bedroom during the summer one year, and how I worked on my kitchen during the winter. Those are options of diy projects you can do when it’s too hot or too cold. In today’s podcast, I also mentioned Garden Totems. Have you ever seen them? When I first started repurposing for the blog, I collected so much glassware and made many glass topiaries.  Smaller repurposed glass ware projects will help fill your time, and fulfill those creative needs you have.   Shopping at thrift stores for small projects is a great way to spend your time when the weather isn’t cooperating with you for larger projects. Listen to the podcast to hear more details about the items above, and some changes that were prompted by the blog survey I did recently. Push play below:     FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A QUESTION BUTTON ON THE SIDEBAR

Options for DIY Projects

Have you missed DIY with MRL? I’ve taken a few weeks off, but I’m back this week talking about redoing all kinds of furniture for your home. This includes cutting, sawing, and painting furniture you find on the curb, in a thrift store, or in your own home. These are the projects I discuss in this week’s episode. Brass Floor Lamp   Black Cabinet   Refinished/Painted Coffee Table  (before)   Painted Ceiling Fans   Buffet into Media Center   Small side table cut in half from years ago!   Vintage Dining Tables (in half)   The other half of the Vintage Dining Table     Tower of Terror Repurposed Desk   Desk into a Kitchen Island/Craft Station   Camo Desk   Desk into Chest (on the podcast I actually mistakenly said dresser into chest)     Curbed desk into hutch   Please be careful when operating power tools. If it feels uncomfortable or beyond your scope get help from someone who knows what they are doing. Always remember-safety first! I hope you are inspired to think outside the box and not pass by a great deal on a piece of furniture because you can’t see beyond the damage! Click PLAY below to listen to this week’s episode.   This week’s sponsor-my good friends at Homeright.com  Check out my Homeright Finish Max Projects   FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A question button on the sidebar

Thrift Store Furniture Redos

Today’s show is about pallets. Where to find them, what to avoid, how to dismantle them and more! Pallet furniture and pallet projects are so popular these days. It use to be companies would beg you to take them, now it seems some companies want to sell them. Times, they are a changin’.   I did a roundup post of great pallet projects from my friends, with lots of great information, but if you prefer to listen to the podcast, please click play below. There are some tidbits in the podcast that aren’t in the original blog post. Projects/Links mentioned in today’s episode of DIY with MRL. Pallets, Pallets and More Pallets (MRL’s Pinterest Board) Repurposed Pallets (group Pinterest Board) Simple Benches made from reclaimed deck wood Coffee Cup Rack made from a pallet Pallet Coffee Table Tray Rustic Pallet Caddy Be sure to check out all of the other Pallet Projects on My Repurposed Life. The Duckbill Deck Wrecker is the tool I have that will also work on fence sections and decks. I see a lot of the Pallet Busters sold on Amazon as well. It’s your choice to read the reviews and see which will work best for you.   This is the video I told you about in today’s episode. Click PLAY below to listen to the latest episode of my podcast.   FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A question button on the sidebar

All About Pallets

Today’s show, episode #21 is all about spray painting.  What can you spray paint, and the best way to go about it? I give you my six best tips on spray painting.   This podcast is a spin-off of a popular blog post The Power of Spray Paint, where I will tell you my opinions and thoughts on spray painting.     Thanks for listening! Please remember, this is an audio podcast that you can listen to here on the blog, or you can  Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Thanks to today’s sponsor: Please check out the new Small Spray Shelter on Amazon. HOMERIGHT FINISH MAX PROJECTS FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A question button on the sidebar   I hope that you check out the above blog post as well as some of the projects shown below in the spray paint category. [categorythumbnaillist 54]

The Power of Spray Paint

Welcome to episode #20 of DIY with MRL! In this episode I ask, are you ready to paint your kitchen cabinets.  Yep, put down the power tools and pick up the paint brush. I only have one kitchen, but I have painted three sets of cabinets. Each experience was different.   You can see the post How To Paint Oak Cabinets for details and tips.    How to Update Cabinets  will give you ideas if you’re looking to add some definition to your flat panel cabinet doors.   I want to thank everyone who listened last week, and left such sweet comments about “my story”. I appreciate your support and your kindness.   Now, if you’re ready to paint your cabinets, or even thinking about it, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and click PLAY below.     Thanks for listening! Please remember, this is an audio podcast that you can listen to here on the blog, or you can  Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Thanks to today’s sponsor: HOMERIGHT FINISH MAX PROJECTS FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A QUESTION BUTTON ON THE BLOG

Are you ready to paint your kitchen cabinets

I mentioned last week that this week’s episode would be a little different. I’m joining in with some other fab at 50 ladies to share all things fifty and fabulous. For me, turning 50 was during a difficult time in my life. At the time, I wondered how I was going to even make it through those first few months, but little did I know that great things lie ahead for me. That’s what I’m discussing in this weeks podcast episode. Some of the things you hear you may already have known about me. Much of it happens to be very personal and private, but if my story can help even one person, it will all be worth it. Some of these fabulous ladies are new members to the 50 club. Next year, I’ll be inducted to the over 60 crowd. Age is just a number, right? Please visit some of these women to see the advice they have. I’m sure there will be all kinds of topics, like fashion, food, healthcare and more. Now, if you’re ready, hit play and get all the saucy details.   Next week, we'll back to our regular program.

Fabulous at 50+

Welcome to the newest episode of DIY with MRL , #18—all about project fails and fizzles. We’ve all had them, right? You might not think that seasoned diy’ers like myself actually have them, but we do!  Please click PLAY on the DIY with MRL player below to listen to the latest episode. Project fail or fizzle? Rose from Confessions of a Curbshopaholic  inspired me to do a lot of my projects, including this Radio Cabinet repurposed into a Portable Bar that challenged me the first time around. I thought I was going to invent the next great thing for furniture dollies .  I tried and tried, but it was a definite failure, but was so lucky to find the perfect solution with this Furniture Dolly Handle (formally available on Amazon, I got my first one at Harbor Freight) Sometimes failures are in the building process, and other times it’s in the finishing and/or painting. I’ve always struggled with what colors to paint my projects. The  hardwood table top for coffee table is one thorn in my side, that I have yet to remedy. You might think this  jenny lind bench, fondly known as the “puzzle bench” would have been a challenge to build. Actually I think it was fun—it was the painting that challenged me. Another paint challenge was this Louvered Door Hall Tree. It was easy to paint white, but it didn’t sell until I changed up the color—then it sold within 2 days. A small wall cupboard was a long time in coming. I first got the cupboard door in 2009, but didn’t complete the cabinet until 2015. It went through it’s own metamorphosis. Sometimes a failure can combine  both building and finishing, and I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this double chair bench  I’ve had my own fair share of fizzles, such as this stand up chalk board, and these spindle Christmas trees .  Both were inspired by my blogging friends. Then you have one that you think is going to go viral, and it almost fizzles—gaining some traction finally.  Easy iPad Stand. If you stick around to the end of the episode, you’ll get a hint of next week’s very special episode. It’s going to be different. Click PLAY below to hear my latest podcast.

Project Fails and Fizzles

Here we are on episode #17 of DIY with MRL. I’m flying solo this week, discussing flipping furniture and whether or not you can make money at it. It’s a question I get often via emails. If you’d like to know all the details, you’ll just have to push that little “play” button down yonder on the player. The only thing that was really mentioned about  blog was Glendale Crossing Days over the years—and how I rented a U-haul for the first time last year. Today’s Sponsor   I have been using Mazuma as my accountant for many years, and I find that it really is the best way for me to keep up with everything. At the end of the year, all the hard work is already done! Watch the video to find out more details. If you sign up, please tell them My Repurposed Life  sent you! (they are having a contest)     Follow DIY with MRL on Facebook and listen to any episode anytime. Email Podcast@MyRepurposedLife.com Visit MyRepurposedLife.com Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Call the help line 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675)

Let's Talk About Flipping Furniture

Kim Six from The Kim Six Fix blog was our guest today. If you’ve never heard Kim do a video or interview, you are in for a treat! She’s so much fun to talk to and hang out with. If you listened to last week’s show, Cher from Designs by Studio C and I were talking about an upcoming “one board” challenge and how awesome Kim’s project was going to be.  Be sure to check out her first scroll saw project, a wooden basket/bowl. *this post contains affiliate links* Can you believe this is her FIRST scroll saw project? Kim has some great tips about finding out exactly what tools you will want to add to your collection. You will love listening to her talk about her selection of tools, and which are her favorites. Kim schooled me on picking up some “no name” brand batteries on Amazon. She picked up an off brand Makita battery  that is holding up well. Kim shares with us why you might NOT want to pick up tools at thrift stores. Oh my! Kim talks about her lawnmower, and it makes me chuckle. Kim shared a story about installing bead board in her home and her son’s new bed, using her favorite tool. (click play to listen to this week’s episode for all the details) Kim discusses using a circular saw to rip 2x4’s because she didn’t own a table saw to make an awesome West Elm inspired Mirror.   Kim compares sawing to quilting, only Kim could do that.   I love Kim’s favorite repurposed project on her blog, it’s made from a repurposed crib, and she has the sweetest reason for it being her favorite. Kim’s question to me is “what is your favorite part of blogging and why do you keep it up, even though the face of blogging is changing”. Thank you Kim for hanging out with DIY with MRL! Click play to hear this week’s episode . . .. .     Please remember, this is an audio podcast that you can listen to here on the blog, or you can  Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In   Thanks to today’s sponsor:   Homeright Finish Max Projects Follow DIY with MRL on Facebook and listen to any episode anytime. Email Podcast@MyRepurposedLife.com Visit MyRepurposedLife.com Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Call the help line 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) Click the little purple ASK ME A QUESTION button on the blog

#16 Kim Six talks about her favorite tools

Welcome to Episode #15 of DIY with MRL. I hope you understand that this SHOW NOTES post is about the podcast that goes along with the blog My Repurposed Life.  If you would like to listen to the conversation I had with Cher Texter, please click PLAY below on the player.     *This post contains affiliate links* Some of the things we discussed in this weeks show are referenced with the following links: Cher offers over 500 free furniture plans on her blog Designs by Studio C. Cher’s favorite project is her kitchen remodel, see those details here: Kitchen (Before) | Kitchen (After) Gail remembers seeing this project, which happens to be the most popular project on Cher’s site. Outdoor Sink (Connecting to Hose) Cher’s most popular furniture build is her Custom Vanity .  She doesn’t repurpose a lot, but does like to participate in the Habitat For Humanity’s REstore and After. See her project by clicking that link. Be sure to keep up with Cher on her blog so you can see the Bench she’s talking about in today’s show.   She will show it off with her  wall mounted desk when it is completed. Gail mentioned her reclaimed wood potting bench, and her mid century modern headboard bench where she used Cher’s idea of tapered legs. Have you seen the organized garage storage that we talked about? 4 Gail proudly mentioned the fact that daughter Jamie and her husband Andy were on Listed Sisters this past June. Cher and Gail are both fans of the Kreg Jig, and prefer buying their pocket hole screws on Amazon.  Both participated in the Power Tool Challenge for August’s theme of a One Board Challenge. Gail recommended checking out Kim Six’ project going up Thursday. One last thing, Cher’s question to Gail was about project fails. Gail’s answer was about a topless coffee table that she has yet to complete from THREE YEARS ago. In addition, she mentioned her most recent “oops” involving a Kreg Jig pocket hole mis-drilled on a coffee table project.   Please remember, this is an audio podcast that you can listen to here on the blog, or you can  Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In   Thanks to today’s sponsor:   Homeright Finish Max Projects Follow DIY with MRL on Facebook and listen to any episode anytime. Email Podcast@MyRepurposedLife.com Visit MyRepurposedLife.com Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Call the help line 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) Click the little purple ASK ME A QUESTION button on the blog

Let's talk about furniture Building

My Repurposed Life Welcome to episode #14 of DIY with MRL! In this show I talk about storage, lumber storage, project storage and more.   You can see the DIY lumber storage work benches in my posts Lumber Storage Bench  and the  work bench shown belo which were both built because the garage flooded.        There is a discussion in todays show about my most recent storage solution, the rolling tool cart.     Finally, I talk about the 2 1/2 car garage where I store my projects in waiting and the finished projects.  Read about it here How to Store Junk in your Garage.   Have you seen my portable wall for staging photos? You can hear all about it in today’s episode.   Click Play to hear the latest episode.       Thanks to today’s sponsor! Hop over to see more about Heirloom Traditions on their site or my HTP projects on My Repurposed Life.   FOLLOW DIY WITH MRL ON FACEBOOK AND LISTEN TO ANY EPISODE ANYTIME. EMAIL PODCAST@MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM VISIT MYREPURPOSEDLIFE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO DIY WITH MRL ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY AND TUNE IN CALL THE HELP LINE 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) CLICK THE LITTLE PURPLE ASK ME A QUESTION BUTTON ON THE BLOG  

Garage Storage Ideas and Tips

Welcome to another great episode of DIY with MRL. The show notes below will help you quickly find the items and projects mentioned in episode #13 How to Deal With Mildew on Furniture. Yes, whether your furniture project has mildew, mold or just plain old musty drawers, today’s show will address tips for dealing with it. This conversation  starts with a question from Barbara who found an antique chair on the side of the road. The first project discussed were the blue gray bookshelves that I got from a neighbor that had a lot of mildew on them from being stored in a dark, damp storage area.   *this post contains affiliate links* Do you have musty drawers, is the next project I discuss. A project was made from a desk that had been stored in the basement, causing the drawers to become very musty. I tried many, many items but I mentioned that Odo Ban was the product that works the best. I still continue to use this product all around the home. Also in this week’s show were comments from friends who had great advice about how they tackle their own musty smelling furniture. There was a product I mentioned that I thought Laura might have been talking about, but the name was escaping me while I was recording the podcast. I’ve used Damp Rid for absorbing moisture in the damp basement. Tru has a great idea for suitcases!  Click play below to hear all about it.   For the project coffee station repurposed buffet, I actually used Clorox Disinfecting Bleach Foamer for the Bathroom to deal with mildew.  For more details click over to the blog post or click play below.   I share briefly how I paint 99% of my projects using my diy chalky paint primer using plaster of paris and Behr paint. I either use my Homeright Finish Max or a cheap chip brush. I explain why I prefer the chip brush over a nice Purdy paint brush, and how I do several light coats for the perfect paint finish.  Click play below.       Thanks to today’s sponsor’s Homeright Finish Max Projects   Follow DIY with MRL on Facebook and listen to any episode anytime. Email Podcast@MyRepurposedLife.com Visit MyRepurposedLife.com Subscribe to DIY with MRL on iTunes, Google Play and Tune In Call the help line 844 HELP MRL (844 435 7675) Click the little purple ASK ME A QUESTION button on the blog or record your message on the Facebook page.    

Mildew, Musty and Stinky Furniture, oh my!

  Welcome to Episode #12 show notes for DIY with MRL!  THE diy podcast related to My Repurposed Life hosted by little ole me—Gail Wilson. The information below is a reference for today’s show content.   This picture is from an old post take a peek in my toolbox. I don’t use a toolbox anymore, but I still use 99% of all the tools I used way back when.   *This Post Contains Affiliate Links for your Convenience*       I used my pry bar when I refinished these hardwood floors and any other time that I took up carpet. I mentioned that I wanted this Wonder Bar but I may already have it from  Jamie’s Laminate Flooring project. I guess a pry bar may be like any other tool in your arsenal, it never hurts to have more than one—use the right tool for the right job. Watch Cody’s  Pry Bar YouTube Video. A pry bar isn’t any good at all if you don’t have a good  hammer. If you listen to the podcast you’ll find out that I really didn’t know there were hammers for different purposes. I’m learning a lot from my own podcast!   While making the Kitty Hideaway, I used the speed square quite a bit. After watching some of Cody’s YouTube videos, I now know that I need to order a Swanson Speed Square       This is my favorite self centering tape measure  that I keep in the kitchen island craft station. Be sure to watch Cody’s Tape measure YouTube Video, where he recommends the Stanley FatMax tape measure.     I use this adjustable combination square on so many re-builds. I am math challenged for sure, so whenever I need an exact measurement over and over again, I dial it in and I know I’m good—just like I did when I trimmed out the kitchen cabinets and when I made this repurposed dresser into a media center.          I mentioned in the podcast that I’ve only framed one wall, that being my DIY portable wall that I use for staging my projects.

#12 Must Have Hand Tools

A show that empowers women to pick up tools to do some DIY, repurposed projects and more.

hubhopper

DIY with MRL

hubhopper