Making Do, Not Doing Without

A couple weeks ago Terri shared some of the joys of war-time shortages and the saying: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" I must admit to loving this adage. And so today, I thought it might be fun to share some of the things I've had fun "making do" with.

This was actually a shelf in the bathroom when we bought our house. Since we didn't like it were it was, I turned it upside down went to work. I moved the hinges on one of the doors so it opened more like an oven, painted the top with a toothbrush to make it look kind of like granite, drew on some burners with a black marker, added a curtain, and the kids had lots of fun with their new kitchen. 

I also hated my old steel file cabinet. Especially since our house is small and the only place I could put it was in the coat closet. After a journey through Pinterest, I took the bottom out of the top draw in my desk and bracketed it the the second draw. Done!

Of course, now I had more room in my coat closet, but I hated having to maneuver hangers when I had little kids vying for attention whenever we got home. I spent a lot more time on Pinterest to come up with my "mudroom" closet with a bench to set the kids on when helping them get ready (or to set myself on those last few months of pregnancy to try to get my own shoes tied!)

Still needs a little detailing, but it's made life so much easier. :)

What have you "made do" with?