Can I tell y’all how excited I am that it’s Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday?? Amazing Friends, today I have actual trash to share which is even better! So y’all know how I moved into a new neighborhood, right? These nice people don’t really know how I like to pick through their trash that they leave on the curb, in search of potential treasures…except now they probably do.
It’s all thanks to these perfectly good skis:
I saw that a POD was being delivered to the vacant house next door, and I was excited that we would soon have new neighbors. The next day I saw a huge pile of stuff on the curb and thought it was weird that someone would wait to move to purge all that junk. I mean why would they pack stuff they didn’t want?
So I decided to be all neighborly and go introduce myself (and get a closer look at that pile of potential) when I noticed the pile included three pairs of perfectly good skis! (One set is missing from the photo above.)
Photo of said pile from my porch:
It turns out that the lady I met was the homeowner and she had been renting the house out. She had been using the fifth bedroom to store her own things and had decided that most of it just needed to go…like three perfectly good sets of skis!
I introduced myself and asked if she minded if I took the skis for a holiday project and she was more than happy to let me have whatever I wanted. I did restrain myself though and just took the skis. So of course my neighbors saw me walking back with them…”They’re going to be fabulous Holiday décor!”, I tell them.
And I think they did turn out pretty fabulous if I do say so myself:
Right??
It’s amazing what spray paint, some pretty greenery (Hobby Lobby), and a big fat buffalo checked bow (also Hobby Lobby) can do!
My Hubby removed all of the bindings for me, and I gave them a couple of coats of Rustoleum spray paint in Colonial Red (satin finish):
Here is one of the smaller pairs:
I made this set from a couple of greenery bunches I picked up at Pier One after Christmas last year:
They have the most realistic greenery. I bought several of these when they were marked down quite a bit last year, and used them throughout our home to decorate. I’ll be sharing more Christmas décor soon!
This project really could not have been any easier. After painting them (one coat on the backs, and two coats on the fronts), I drilled a small hole through the centers using a regular old drill bit. I criss-crossed them just how I wanted and then drilled right through both skis.
Then I added a small nut and bolt to hold them together:
I trimmed up the greenery stems a bit and then wired them right onto the skis using floral wire:
I added a little more wire to each stem where you can’t see as well to hold them securely in place.
Then I added another ready-made bow from Hobby Lobby to finish it off!
Such a pretty addition to our holiday porch!
The rain was moving in so I didn’t get many photos out from under the porch, but here is one…
And one more…
I just love this big porch!
Here is the third set I did:
I found that sign and that more sparkly greenery at Michaels.
And how about that adorable door swag? I found that at Michaels this year on Black Friday:
I dropped off two sets of skis to my booth and kept this tall one:
I loved the height of these.
You could add these to just about any corner of your home for a festive touch. Adding a little set of battery-operated lights would make them even prettier!
Of course I loved these as well…just something about that natural looking greenery!
Don’t go anywhere just yet! My Trash-to Treasure girls are sharing makeovers today too!
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing my finished dining room decked out for Christmas! I was able to get the rest of the chairs to my dining set painted, so I can finally check that project off the list woohoo!
UPDATE: See how my dining set turned out plus see my dining room all ready for Christmas HERE now!
XOXO,
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Norma Rolader says
Oh my I need to find some old skis but when in GA…that maybe hard!!!
Christy says
Maybe you’ll get lucky?? Good luck! 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Christy for the SCORE! Now your neighbor can bring you all the good junk. Haha. Love the skis and your beautiful holiday decor.
Christy says
Ha ha yes!! It took a lot for me to approach that curbside pile being that I’m in a new neighborhood and all, but I just had to do it! Thanks, Larissa! XOXO
Mariele Storm says
Dang, you’re creative!! <3 Would never even have thought of that!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Mariele! XOXO
Janie says
Love them!
Christy says
Thank you, Janie! XO
Christina in FL says
Brilliantly beautfiul! And gotta love free! 🙂
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! And yes…free is the best!! XOXO
Janice says
I bet your neighbor wished she had kept these skis after seeing what you done with them. They are beautiful. Also love the decoration on your door because have always loved anything with skates. You are amazing.
Christy says
I know, right? I almost didn’t want to tell her what I wanted to do with them for fear that she would decide to keep them ha ha! Thank you so much, Janice! XOXO
Debrashoppeno5 says
What a lovely decoration this makes. The red skis with the greenery really make a statement. Now I will have to look for skis. And I may find some, you never know.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I really wanted to keep all three pairs for myself ha ha! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Michele Ward says
Christy, I never comment but you about the only blogger I follow – you do great work and are so creative! I LOVE the skis – I imagine the two were snatched out of your booth in a nano-second! And the wall in your office is so great – love the dimension it adds! Merry Christmas!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michele! I really appreciate that! Those skis better not be in my booth the next time I stop by or I might be tempted to bring them back home with me ha ha. I am really enjoying the new wall too…thank you, and Merry Christmas to you as well! XOXO
Sheila DelCharco says
No chance of finding old skis here in Florida…unless they’re water skis! Love how these turned out!
Christy says
Oh yep… that might be a problem ha ha! Thanks, Sheila! XOXO
andi says
This is brilliant! We have an old set of Phil’s skis in the garage that he hasn’t used in 30 years (and never will). Now I know what to do with them. ????
xoxo
andi
Christy says
Hey Andi!! Thank you! Yeah, girl…bust those babies out! XOXO
Cecilia says
Those are perfect! Makes me want to go find a pair of old skis myself. They look great!
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! I hope you do…this was such a simple project with big results! 🙂 XO
Debra Wise says
Beautiful! Looks great with your porch decor.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Debra! XO
Tammy says
Oh my goodness did those skis turn out gorgeous! I love all the greenery and colonial red and the bow❤️❤️Did you make the bow? All your porch/front door decor is just stunning!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Tammy! I bought the bow as is at Hobby Lobby! 🙂
Ange says
What a great idea! They look amazing on the front porch. Paint and pre-made greenery—I think I can do that! And I just happen to have two sets of skis in the closet.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Ange! Yes these were so simple…the hardest part was removing the bindings! XOXO
Debbie says
Those turned out beautiful! And they could be left out for January as well. Great job!!
Christy says
Thanks, Debbie, and you are so right…these could stay out all winter! XOXO
Roberta says
You did it again!
Christy says
Thank you, Roberta! XO
Kimberly says
Fabulous indeed!! Just yesterday I was contemplating something like this, but cutting the “skis” from lumber/pallets. How awesome that you found some real skis to use. (Not many people disposing of real skis in the trash here in Alabama 🙂 )
Christy says
Thanks, Kimberly! You certainly could cut a pair out I’m sure! We are a huge military town so we get people from all over the country moving here…luckily some of them bring their skis lol! XOXO
Becky says
So pretty! Haha, Guess what I have at my new front doors (we did a huge garage-to-entry remodel this summer… ALL summer)? A set of skis one of my boys snagged from the neighbor’s “dump” pile!!! I’ve been stowing them for about 3 years now waiting for the right place to use them. The old entry had only a narrow ledge beside the door, the new has the perfect space, happy me! : ) Enjoy your skis!
Christy says
Thanks, Becky! Congratulations on your remodel! Sound like you have the perfect spot for your skis! Good thing your son snagged them!! XOXO
Karen Moore says
Your imagination amazes me. Very cute.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Karen!! XOXO
Sandi says
You did it again! The repurposed skis are absolutely lovely! Wish I lived near the store where you have your booth! Keep up the great work! I love your posts!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandi!! I wish you lived closer too! XOXO
Rose says
I love it. Your new neighbors will soon find out that you love trash ???? and how gifted you are with it. Btw your office wall is so gorgeous.
Christy says
Thanks, Rose! Ha ha yes I think they are learning already that I love trash…good thing these are on my porch so they can see that I actually did something with it! 🙂 So glad you like the wall…I am really enjoying it! XOXO
Carole Larsen says
Your porch is so beautifully decorated and unique- Great Job.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carole! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
How lucky that your neighbor was throwing these out, and I love what you did with them Christy! I’m sure they’ll sell very quickly from your booth! (and I’m glad you kept one set) xo
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! I know, right? I really had to restrain myself because most of what was in that pile was good, functional stuff. She just wanted rid of it! I hope they do sell quickly because if they’re still there next time I stop in, I’ll be tempted to keep them lol! XOXO
Gloria Sears says
I enjoy your posts SO much! What a clever idea. I have an antique mall, and I would die to have a dealer like you!
I am so glad to see you left the brick on your home as is. Although I love her to pieces, I cringe every time Joanna Gaines paints brick.
Christy says
I am so happy you enjoy my posts, Gloria and thank you!! As for the brick, I love it as-is too! 🙂
Robyn Wright says
Ok, Why would a person put perfectly good skis out for the trash instead of trying to sell them and make a little Christmas money? BUT, yay for you that she did and you made GORGEOUS decor! Does it hurt at all to take them apart when there is nothing wrong with them? I just need to get over that part, right?
Christy says
Girl, everything in that pile was good, functioning stuff…juicer, coffee maker, tools, etc. I really had to restrain myself! She is trying to get a renter and just wanted it cleared out…lucky for me! We live on the coast so nobody around here really has a need to own their own skis since the closest slopes are three hours away from us. We just rent when we go. 🙂
Nancy says
The skis are beyond beautiful. What a brain you have that you can spot skis and see immediately how they can be turned into something so lovely. They add so much to the decor of your front porch. Wonderful transformation and so simple. Thank you for sharing this.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Nancy!! I almost didn’t ask about them since I wasn’t 100% sure I could do something with them, but I am so glad I did now! XOXO
Joanne E Boulter says
I adore your front door and the skis are amazing. I never thought about painting a pair of fiberglass ones. I always get great inspiration every time I stop by for a visit. Have a very Merry Holiday Season! Jo
Christy says
Thank you so much, Joanne! I’m so glad you stopped by today! Merry Christmas to you too! XOXO
Carrie says
Oh, nice find and so conveniently located! lol Very pretty, this goes so well with your home. I like the skater decoration on the door too, that’s really cute! I have old skis but they’re water skis. Everything looks so good!
Christy says
Thanks, Carrie! Yes SO convenient, lucky for me! I loved that swag on the door with the skates as soon as I saw it…in the cart it went! XOXO
Carrie says
It helps if I know what a swag is lol, I kept thinking it was the one around the door frame which is really cute too 😉
Christy says
Ha ha! 🙂
MaryJean says
I love it! That is gorgeous! My porch and decorations are covered in snow and in fact, I have at least a 3′ high pile of snow from my son plowing the driveway right in front of the porch. Oh, the wonders of living in Buffalo! 🙂
Christy says
Thank you, MaryJean! I don’t envy you with the snow…although it is pretty, that would shut our town down ha ha! I guess you’re used it! XOXO
Julie Briones says
Great… now I’m on the look-out for a small set of skis! 😉 SO, SO pretty, cute, and adorable. They would work great on My Wee Abode’s outside landing! I bet they sell fast!
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! Ha ha yes…go get you some skis! XOXO
bente boganes says
Christy, you crack me up, a woman after my own heart! I am constantly scowering my neighborhood for said “Goodies”! I just love these, they look amazing!
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Bente!! Roadside shopping is really the best, isn’t it? 😀
Paula says
I’ve always wanted to try this project and even had my cousin who works on a maintenance crew at Wintergreen snag a set of old skis for me. Don’t be surprised if you see something similar on my porch next Christmas. Your set looks perfect on your porch and I’ll bet that when guests arrive, they make a comment about this cute idea.
Christy says
Thank you, Paula! Yes, I hope you’ll do this with yours…how nice that you scored a set for free! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So clever!! What a great find!! You are breaking in that neighborhood (or neighbors) well!! 😉 xoxo See ya soon!
Christy says
Thanks, Nancy! Yes they will soon know very well that I WILL be coming after their trash if they leave something good enough for my high standards lol! XOXO
Agata Luff says
Hey Christy!! I ran right out to a sports store and begged for some trashed skis and they kindly obliged. I made a repurposed ski holiday decor yesterday!! I tagged you on my instagram @sewswedish68. Hope you saw them. You truly are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for all of your awesomeness!!!!! Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Agata! That is awesome!! I love how yours turned out…I saw them on IG. Love that you were inspired and sprang into action…my kinda gal! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
JamieK says
Oh Wow! Oh Wow! That is a Fabulous idea! Sooo pretty! Love Love it all! Love me some buffalo Check!
Christy says
Thank you, Jamie! I love me some buffalo check too! XO
Cathy V says
Thank you for this cute idea!!! I happened to have a pair of old skis in the garage! Hardest part was getting one of the bindings off. A trip to Home Depot (for paint) and Hobby Lobby for some greenery and 3 days after your post, I have my red skis!!! They are fabulous!!! Much gratitude for sharing your projects!
Christy says
I LOVE that you were inspired and went for it!! Thank you for sharing! You are my kind of girl!! XOXO
Missy says
When I first saw your ski’s, I grabbed my purse and ran to our Goodwill. I was so deflated when I saw the price tag of $24.99 EACH. I did end up finding affordable ones, and are they beautiful. My favorite project that I’ve done. Thank you so much. One question, were you able to get the words on the boards covered up?
Christy says
Oh awesome!!! I love this project too! I didn’t worry too much about the words on the bottoms of the skis showing through, but I gave the tops two pretty generous coats to cover up what was on them.
Shelley says
I never thought to spray paint skis! You’re brilliant! You can do so much with skis, especially if they’re painted. I even have sign from Michael’s! Thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Thanks, Shelley! XO
Denise says
I made the ski project and added lights looked so good we kept it inside would love to share the photos but I can’t see to add them I tried e-mailing you from one of your last replies but it came back. Let me know if you would like to see them.
Christy says
I would LOVE to see them!!! You can email me directly at christykjames@cox.net! 🙂
Carrie Simmons says
I LOVE this project soooooo much!!! Your creativity is amazing and you inspire me with every post! Thank you for sharing your creative genius with us! Happy New Year!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much for that, Carrie! You made my day!! Happy New Year! XOXO
Marilyn says
HI Christy,
I’ve followed your blog for some time. Your ski decorations were killer, loved them!
Thanks for sharing this post.
Christy says
Thank you, Marilyn! I may just keep mine out on my porch all winter! Thank you so much for following along with me! XOXO