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Monday, August 2, 2010

I'VE BEEN WORKIN' ON THE RAILROAD...


Over the weekend I went to work on the railroad...cart that is. This project got started one night last week while we sat watching an episode of America Pickers. They featured an old railroad cart, which I drooled over, saying how awesome that would be to have at the farm for a coffee table. Handy Hubby casually says, " I know where there are three and I can probably get them." I about fainted and said could he go get them now!He calls me the next day and says do I want a big one, a little one,or a broken one or all of the above. Oh, I think to myself, why not just start a collection. Three or more is considered a collection right? My greedy self said to drag them all home and we would figure out what to do with them later. So, after a swap of two brand new golf cart tires the carts were ours. We don't have a golf cart but had two new tires, how weird is that?The top wood is in really poor shape since they sat outside for so long in the weather but the wood underneath is in really great shape and they are solid. I plan to keep the larger one for the farm. Handy Hubby is going to rebuild it from reclaimed wood from the old house that we salvaged and have stored up there. I think that will make an extra special touch. Darling daughter thinks she might want the small one. That leaves the parts of the third, which we will probably restore and sell if we can find a little wheel like the one pictured below because one is missing. I have a friend that will let me put it in her shop on consignment.Saturday we are driving into town and talking over if we want to leave the wood rather rustic or sand it down and do a light stain when there was a pause in the conversation. Handy Hubby says he knows a guy with a warehouse and there used to be several of those carts in there after the guy shutdown his business and are probably still there. He is going to check and see, can probably get them cheap or even free it they are still there. If so, then I see some restoring and selling my near future with new furniture for the farmhouse in sight! After pressure washing railroad carts I had a little bit of play time in the studio and started a new project, never mind the six others that need finishing, but that is a procrastination story of another sort, anyway, here is a sneak peek at some of the materials and the project base. A little of this... And a little of these... Will be married to this... This is a just for fun kind of project, every once in a while I just need a playtime project, which usually helps me to get back on track. I love experimenting just to see if I can and this is something I have wanted to try for a really long time. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I hope each of you has a beautifully blessed week!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

24 comments:

Vee said...

Now this is so cool. With railroad engineers for grandfathers (yes, two of them), my heart is totally with your project. Can't wait to see what you do. What an interesting story about how you gathered them in. Goes to prove that a gal should always communicate with her beloved. :D

sandy said...

I LOVE those carts! And my husband and I also watch American Pickers. We love it!
Thanks for sharing your projects!
sandy

Alexandra said...

Your new coffee tables are wonderful Sandy. I love these old carts! I got a new one to my birthday from Restauration Hardware and it looks so fantastic! Have a nice day and fun with your carts! Greetings Alexandra

LuLu Kellogg said...

I love those old carts.

I can't wait to see what your new project is going to be!

LuLu♥

Kom Achterom said...

Hi Sandy
what a nice carts.
Never seen it before. and Its so nice restored!!
I wish you a verry nice week
Yolanda

kathy said...

Love that show also -- and repurposing history is so wonderful -- what stories they could tell -- KAthy - ga ♥

Lady Farmer said...

Oh, Miss Sandy!
We really are Kindred Spirits! I love American Pickers (the only show I watch on TV) and I love those old railroad carts, too! A couple of years ago, hubby and I took the train home to WA. from New York, and had seen some of these still being used at several stops along the way. I wanted one the moment I saw them! How fortunate for you that your hubby knew of some and got them for you! What treasures! Enjoy working on your new Railroad finds!
Blessings!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Sandy:
You lucky girl! I wish there were something like that around here. So many fun things in the world, aren't there? Enjoy your week.
xoxo
Donna

sugar Creek said...

Jealous!!!! I watch that show too and love it!!! Lucky find!!!

The French Bear said...

Wow, that is really cool, never even knew about them!! Great job fixing them up.
How exciting to see a new project....ha ha, I do that all the time!!! I love to start new things when I still have piles to finish...is it adult ADD?
Hugs,
Margaret B

Art From Chaos said...

i saw that episode after i read your blog this morning! those are gorgeous and a wonderful idea. :)

Anonymous said...

Sandy, is the first picture a finished one by you and Handy Hubby or a photo from a magazine? THESE ARE SO DANGED COOL! My Handy Hubby said he has seen some of these in one of our favorite antique haunts but he didn't think they were for sale, jut used as display. Wow! You did good! These are terrific!
Again, Wow!
Hugs, girlfriend,
Diane

The Country Nest said...

Way cool....I love your railroad cart.
Great job.
Donna

David said...

Ohhhhhhh! Has Mindy seen this? She's going to go crazy over this! Going to go get her! Be right back!

Mindy said...

Ha! David is right. This is good. Really, really good. I imagine you are having fun with this! Kudos to you hubby! ~Mindy

David said...

I knew she would like it! Handy Hubby did well!

Sonya Badgley said...

My husband and I LOVE that show! And those carts...AWESOME! What luck for you. Using one as a coffee table at the farmhouse is a great idea. I would love, love, love, just to have one:)But if I had a chance for three? Well, I'd take 'em of course!
Blessings,
Sonya

Holly Knott said...

These railroad carts are awesome! I'm not familiar with the TV show you referenced so am going to have to go look it up. I'm enjoying your blog (and I'm Diane Knott's daughter). :-)

Thespa McLaughlin said...

I am so very very very very very JEALOUS! Heck yeah take all three, what a question, LOL. Enjoy you lucky duck!

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

The cart has so much character! I enjoy things like that. They seem to have their own story. My DH would wonder what I would possibly do with them. Thanks for sharing the photos and the story. Connie

Lisa said...

Ok Sandy,
This post has my jaw dropped to the floor! No WAY, your hub found not one, not two, but 3 of these bad boys!?? Please send him to Texas to pick for me. That's amazing girl, I cannot wait to see the finished table. And then as if the railroad ties aren't enough you tease us with the project photos. Is it a birdcage?? Whatever it is I know it will be awesome. Lisa

E. Charlotte said...

Oh how lucky you are to have those carts! What a wonderful table one would make! The wheels are wonderful and I'm so glad you chose to take all three! :)

The Feathered Nest said...

YIKES!!!!!! Sandy!!! These babies are SO HOT right now!!! I love that your hubby hooked you up with them...I say don't touch the one you want to sell as folks love to decide what to do with it, you know? I love TOO that you're keeping one and your daughter wants one ~ they are just wonderful sweet friend!!!! And as for your little mystery project, I'm drooling over the pics and can only imagine what wonderfulness is in store!!!!! hugs and love to you, Dawn

Decor To Adore said...

Let me know if and when any are ever for sale. XOXOXO

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