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.

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

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:

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

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.

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:

I hope that you check out the above blog post as well as some of the projects shown below in the spray paint category.

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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:

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.

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.

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.

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)