Ladder Stepping Up to the Stashbusting September Challenge

Robin over at TheTshirtDiaries is a gal after my own heart.

She has thrown down a challenge to anyone willing to close up their pocketbooks this month (well, at least for spending on arts and crafts and DIY projects), and use what you have in your home, workshop, craft room or wherever you create. The challenge is called Stashbusting September and you can read more about it here.

She also has a link party called Upcycled Awesome every Wednesday. I hope you hop over to check out some of the fantastic ideas she and other bloggers have shared.

I am always up for a challenge, so I jumped in with both feet ready to complete some projects and do it without spending a dime!

Obviously toe-less shoes are not safe in the workshop, unless you want to be,
ummm toe-less!

So, what about you? Up to the challenge? I hope you step up to the plate and try your hand at re-using and making-do with what you have on hand! Altogether now: Hey ho, let’s go!

Here is one of the projects that has been sitting around waiting to be given a new life. An old ladder that I picked up from The Habitat for Humanity ReStore (visit this post for more details).

$15 dollars was a little more than I wanted to pay, but Habitat for Humanity is one of my favorite charities, so I don’t mind spending a little more when the money goes to people who need housing.

I actually made this ladder into two separate items. I’ll show you the results of the other half when I finish that project.

Tools Needed:

Safety Goggles (Definitely wear your safety goggles when using a pry bar!)
Hammer
Sand paper or sanding block
Pry Bar
Drill
Screws
Piece of L-shaped moulding

I used the chisel end on my pry bar to loosen the rivets. Some of those rivets were hanging in there and weren’t ready to come out yet. But, I showed them who’s boss. That would be me, the woman in a skirt and toe-less sandals!

Then used the claw end of a hammer to to remove it the rest of the way.

After removing the brace and top rivets, the ladder’s front and back were free from each other forever. I wiped the whole ladder down with a damp cloth and then lightly sanded it to remove any splinters.

I played around with the back of the ladder in our dining room…

…but ultimately decided I wanted to use it as an easel.

I have a decent scrap pile with leftover boards and trim pieces. A little scrap of L shaped moulding was exactly what I needed.

I measured how high I wanted the moulding to be and then marked where my screws would go.

I predrilled the holes.

Leveled the moulding and screwed it into the ladder.

Instant easel!

Love it! Especially those paint splotches.

It looks great next to our repainted Craig’s List buffet and hutch.

Plus, I can change out the artwork on a whim.

I hope this has inspired you to do some Stashbusting this month. Check out what some other Stashbusting bloggers are doing this month: HERE!

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blesid says:

September 12, 2010 at 10:57 pm

Oh no way! You are way too clever. I wonder if my husband would notice his rickity old ladder was missing … jules @ bles-id.blogspot

mydiyhabit says:

September 12, 2010 at 7:03 pm

Now see if I had an old ladder, I would've only seen it as an old ladder. You redid it just right:)

Cat @ mydiyhabit

Sweeter Hours says:

September 12, 2010 at 12:24 am

Brittany, you never cease to amaze. Wow. Love it! Very chic. Adding to my blog.

Kim says:

September 10, 2010 at 6:30 pm

That turned out so cute, I like the idea of an easel. Very nice.

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training says:

September 10, 2010 at 11:43 am

That’s pretty awesome! I’ve been on the hunt for an old ladder forever! I found one at an estate sale a few weeks ago but they wanted an arm and leg for it. I figured they must have decorators or bloggers in the family. Only people like us would see an old beat up later and get giddy over it.

Love how you have it decorated!

Kendra aka “Domestic Princess in Training”

Cindy says:

September 10, 2010 at 9:37 am

That is a really great idea! I love the easel and I'm looking forward to seeing what you are going to do with the rest of it.
Hugs, Cindy

Ellie says:

September 10, 2010 at 7:48 am

That is just gorgeous! I need to find a ladder… Hm, my husband has one just about that old with lots of, um, character. Do you think he'd miss it? LOVE the hutch and buffet too!