Hi, I'm Gail Wilson from My Repurposed Life
ABOUT GAIL WILSON - A teacher at heart, Gail Wilson relishes the chance not to show off her projects but to help others find their inner handywoman step-by-step. Her blog, MyRepurposedLife.com, chronicles her scrap-saving adventures and has been featured on countless DIY magazines and websites, including Women's Day, Design*Sponge, and Apartment Therapy. With a tribe of more than 450,000 followers, Gail inspires a new generation of DIYers to pick up some tools and get to work.
More about Gail
As I say in my profile, I am a mom, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and friend to many. I am in the process of repurposing my life after many life-changing incidents. I love to look for trash to turn into treasures! It is what makes me happy and keeps me busy. I was a pre-kindergarten teacher for 19 years. The only reason I am no longer teaching is because the school closed. I am now a full-time DIY Blogger.
My regular readers know I have one daughter, Jamie. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee.
This is my furbaby, Lulu Mae. She's the best shop dog ever! She hangs right with me while I'm working on random projects.
You can see Lulu Mae's Repurposed Drawer Toy Box. If you're interested in making one, click that link.
Lulu Mae goes where I go, whether to the beach or camping at a state park (below).
Camping Fun
This is my new love. CAMPING! I bought the camper a few years ago and travel whenever I can. Lulu Mae is the best camping buddy ever! We've been to Florida and New Hampshire!
When I'm not camping, my favorite thing to do DIY-wise is repurposing everyday items headed for the garbage/landfill.
My Repurposed Life Upcycles!
I love repurposing old windows.
I also like making benches out of headboards.
If you want to see many more repurposed items, you can check out my Photo Gallery. It is the quickest way to tour my site.
Home Reno Projects and More
As you probably know, I live in Louisville, KY. I've lived here all my life in the same house for the last 45 years.
I love that this is home. It's my home. It's not the best, nor the worst house, but it's home to me!
UPDATE !! I spent eight months building and painting a new DIY Picket Fence, Finished in the spring of 2016
It's hard to say which room is my favorite. Probably, I would have to say the living room because that is where I gather with the kids! I did a makeover on my living room, including a fireplace makeover, in early 2010.
I did a makeover on my kitchen from top to bottom, except for the appliances. You can see all the details by viewing the label kitchen makeover.
The Early Days of My Repurposed Life
You may not know that I used to DIY when Jamie was small. However, being a wife, mom, and teacher made my DIY take a hiatus.
I made a Cookie Monster bean bag toss. I ended up using this in my class until the very end.
This carebear cutout was hanging on the wall in Jamie's room for years.
Jamie had a playhouse in the backyard. I made a stove/sink piece. (note the window)
The playhouse was a regular shed that we modified with a porch, a Dutch door, and a window.
Why I Love to Blog
While surfing the internet for inspiration on some of my finds, I ran across Blogland. It is a beautiful place. There are blogs on any and every subject you can imagine. In July 2009, I started writing this blog. It became a journal of all of my re-claimed, re-purposed treasures.
Blogging has become a massive part of my life. I am unsure whether I work on projects so I can blog or if I can work on my many projects. It's not a massive blog with many followers but MY blog. My life now has a purpose. I don't expect to blog for the rest of my life, but it has undoubtedly helped me get through a challenging time. My readers are very supportive; although I don't know them personally, I am attached to them. People who write blogs or follow blogs will understand the kinship you feel toward these people who are total strangers. I have prayed for them, cried for their loss of loved ones, and celebrated graduations, weddings, and births. That is why I blog.
So, there is probably more information than you need to know. But, if you still have "inquiring minds," feel free to ask me anything in a comment below.