Flower Power Patio Umbrella Rescue

After painting our back deck I realized the bright hot sunshine was too much of a good thing, so shopping for an affordable umbrella was number one on my list. But since I am risk averse when it comes to actually spending money on something new, I hit the local St. Vincent's first.

And THAT is how I scored this perfectly serviceable umbrella with a few mouse holes for FREE!

Wait, you say, those are NOT a few mouse holes and what about other evidence of mousey activity like pee and pellets?

I thoroughly sprayed it with disinfecting detergent spray and scrubbed it with a car washing brush and it came out looking really GOOD. Except for the numerous gnawed holes, that is.

Ahem. I had a plan.

With a coupon for Joanne's in hand I bought a yard of this outdoor fabric for less than $1. This fabric reminds me of high school and an A line skirt I made in home ec class. Plus I think I had a pair of bell bottoms in this pattern. Lol! 

And, most importantly, I found THIS adhesive at our local hardware store. See the pic of the umbrella on the packaging? I knew my plan was coming together.

Yeah. Just let me tell you that Super Glue, Fabric Glue, Tacky Glue and hot glue don't work on the                    outdoor fabric OR the umbrella. Trust me on this. But the Loctite adhesive WORKS!                 

I cut out lots of flower shapes and glued them inside and outside the holey umbrella. Plus I added a few for fun.

And look. Holes be covered!

This project was right up my alley. I saved a throwaway umbrella with a bit of ingenuity, fabric and the right kind of glue. The total cost was less than $10. The umbrella now makes our recently redone back deck a shady and pretty place to spend our summer days. I call that a win win!