I am so excited to join the #SwapItLikeIt’sHot party!
What is “Swap It Like It’s Hot”? It’s a group of 39 bloggers who have crazy, creative minds! We each go to a thrift store or yard sale and buy $10 (and no more than $10!) worth of stuff. Then we send that stuff to the next person on the list. And that person turns that stuff into something awesome!
Here’s what I got from Jessica at Gourley Girl and Guy:
A cardboard hatbox, a wood picture frame with an Anne Geddes print in it, a ceramic jar, a brass apple, and a foam wreath form. Hmmmm…
At first, I was playing with the idea that the wreath form was about the same size as the cardboard box, but I couldn’t quite come up with what to do with that. Stumped.
Until one day, I was just driving along in my car and…inspiration struck! I knew exactly what I was going to do!
I started with the picture frame – turning it into a vintage-style chalkboard.
I flipped the frame over and found that the back was nailed into the frame.
I removed the nails and the back and found this underneath:
How cute is that little print that looks like a seed packet? I knew that was going to be part of the cardboard box’s transformation!
OK, back to the chalkboard.
I first painted the frame with an off-white chalky paint…
But I didn’t like the color – it was too brown.
I decided to try a gray chalky finish paint instead. Much better!
I painted the front of the back part of the frame with chalkboard paint (I only use Rust-Oleum’s chalkboard paint
I stapled the back to the frame – because the nails were tiny and too hard to replace, plus the staples provided more stability for writing on the chalkboard.
Now I needed a stand for the chalkboard, because this frame only had a hook for hanging it on a wall. Cue the wreath form! I cut it in half (I bet you were wondering why there’s a knife in the picture, above!) and hot glued it to the frame at a bit of an angle.
It’s the perfect stand for the frame (and I’m not really a wreath-loving kind of girl anyway).
Next, I needed someplace to put the chalk – so I grabbed the little jar and put the chalk in it.
I couldn’t quite decide what to do with the apple, so I left it as is. I kind of like it that way anyway.
OK…time to work on the box. I found some scrapbook paper (from Michael’s, FYI) that went with the seed packet print, and I decoupaged that to the box’s sides with Mod Podge. I cut the Anne Geddes tulip print (being careful not to cut through the pictures of the babies – that kind of creeped me out!) into strips and Mod Podged them onto the sides in even intervals. Then I glued the seed packet print onto the top of the box (I traced the top and cut it to size first).
Voila!
So, here’s everything all finished:
I’ve already moved the little chalkboard to the chest on our front porch, and the box is perfect for holding seed packets.
Wait til you see what I left on Dena from Hearts and Sharts‘ doorstep! See her transformation HERE.
Then follow the trail of thrift store goodies with the other participants:
– Monday –
58 Water Street / I Am a Homemaker / Prim and Propah / Create & Babble / Windgate Lane / Gourley Girl and Guy / hearts and sharts
Confetti Style / Blue i Style / Polished Habitat / Two Purple Couches /
Run to Radiance / Restoration Redoux/ Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Erin Spain / Prodigal Pieces / That’s My Letter / Southern State of Mind
Roadkill Rescue / Always Never Done / Year of Serendipity / Casa Watkins
Two Thirty-Five Designs / Finding Silver Pennies / Ciburbanity
The House of Wood / Decor Adventures / Bright Green Door
While They Snooze / The Charming Farmer / Primitive and Proper /
A Designer At Home / BrePurposed / Home Made By Carmona / Domicile 37 /
Dogs Don't Eat Pizza 
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