Thrift Store Swap Makeover – #SwapItLikeItsHot 3

March 5, 2015 /

When I was invited to another round of Ciburbanity’s #SWAPITLIKEITSHOT blog hop, I jumped at the chance. If there is one thing I love, it is the challenge of making over other people’s unwanted stuff ;). Thirty-three bloggers went out and purchased items at thrift stores, flea markets, etc. for under $15 and sent them to another who then had the chance to give the item(s) a makeover or decorate with in some way. This round was especially fun, because I received my items from my friend Jennifer of Town and Country Living. I couldn’t wait to see what she was going to send me!

If you are visiting from Jennifer’s blog, welcome! Be sure to head back and visit her if you haven’t! Today, is day four, so if you have missed any of the other bloggers’ posts, you will find their links at the end. Loads of makeover goodness awaits you!

When I opened the package Jennifer sent me, I found several unfinished wooden numbers and two bamboo trays. (At least, I assumed they were trays.) These definitely seemed workable but no major makeover ideas stood out to me at first. I have been in a bit of a creative funk lately 🙁 —> I blame winter.

My first thought was to paint the trays black, so I spray painted the back of one to see how I liked it. I didn’t. Grateful it was just the back! Then I left them for awhile to see if any awesome ideas came to mind.

Meanwhile, my children thought they made great “jails”. Thank you Disney for teaching my children about jail (I blame either Frozen or Sheriff Callie’s Wild West).

 I could have just styled them and called it a day, right? Well, I did do that at first, just for the heck of it.

This one made for the perfect ottoman tray (well at least for styling and then enjoying for an hour or so before the kids woke up from their nap to turn it into a jail again). I filled the tray with old books, antlers, a succulent plant and a candle.

Since there were two, I decided to get a little more creative with the other one. I was inspired by birch bark and decided to paint a faux finish on it to look similar.

I filled it with sheet moss (*affiliate link) and decided to use it as a centerpiece for my spring table decor. Even though I am convinced spring is NEVER coming. Anyone with me?

I filled the tray with a bird’s nest and egg, Moroccan style lantern, cast iron bunny and a yellow millinery flower (since real ones are scarce around here right now. I could have run to the store, I suppose, but who wants to go out in 10 degree weather?) 
The chevron table runner is actually just a piece of fabric that I bought at Walmart.
Now it was on to those numbers. There was a random mix of 0’s, 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 7’s, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with them. My house number was in there though, so I knew there could be something to that end. 
I began by painting them with black chalk paint (*affiliate link). Then I sanded them to give a slightly distressed finish. My plan was to attach them to an old wooden board and include the finished piece in a gallery wall (in the works, so stay tuned!). 
We will likely sell this tiny house in a couple of years and move to a bigger place, which I can’t wait for some days, but I know I will miss it so much once we are gone. I thought it would be nice to use the house numbers in this way, to always have a reminder of where our family started. 
At first, I planned on gluing them horizontally, but I was working on this with my three year old daughter, Hazel. At one point when I wasn’t looking, she turned them vertically, and I loved it. They didn’t fit lined up that way, though, so I decided to get a little creative with it. It’s kinda quirky, I know, but we all agreed that we liked it this way…even my husband. Ta-da…
I can’t wait to add it to a gallery wall, but I liked setting it up in this little vignette for now.
Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing how I transformed my thrifted finds from Jennifer and will now head to the next stop, Our Southern Home. I can’t wait to see how Christy used the items that I sent her! They were pretty random. Here is a sneak peek:
Till next time…
~Alice W.
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There are five days of #SwapItLikeItsHot in this round and 33 blogs to visit, so your brain will be filled with all sorts of awesome ideas for making over thrift store and flea market finds!

Day 1
Live Pretty on a Penny

Check out how I transformed this ugly birdhouse during my first time participating with Swap It Like It’s Hot!

You might also enjoy:

Thrift Store Etc. Sign Makeover

Upcycled Thrift Store Trays

*This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for any sales made using them. The cost to you does not change. Thank you for your support! Full disclosure policy.

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