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…
See? I’ve already got the seed packet print on the box top!
But I didn’t like the color – it was too brown.
I decided to try a gray chalky finish paint instead. Much better!
Anyone see Hank in this picture? He’s so sneaky!
I painted the front of the back part of the frame with chalkboard paint (I only use Rust-Oleum’s chalkboard paint
There’s a lot of creativity going on here.
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.
Nothing like finding your reflection in a shiny apple!
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!
No babies in tulips were harmed in the making of this cute box!
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 /
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
What a great find that print was behind the tulip babies. I laughed when I saw that, I had forgotten all about Anne Geddes and the tiny babies turned into flowers :)And that little jar you put the chalk in? TOO CUTE!
Thank you!! I know – at first, I thought the print in the frame was just pretty tulips, and then I spotted the little baby heads inside! Eeek!! 🙂 Thank you!
Love all the stuff you sent me, Karen! Thank you so much! Love that little jar!
Thanks, Dena! You rocked it!!
Love it all! Great job!
Thank you, Bee!!
Oh, how fun!! I love all the projects, and would have kept that seed packet print too. Great job!!
Thanks, Larissa!!
your chalkboard is so cute! and i love the little cup with chalk!
Thanks, Cassie!!
I love the Swap it tour so I can see how everyone’s brain works! Yours is pretty darn creative! It’s so funny that that little print was tucked back behind! Great job!
Thank you!! This is my first and I loved it!!
How sweet was that print you found under the original picture! Look perfect on the top of the box…the whole set up is cute!
Thanks, Christy!!
How perfect that sweet print was hiding in there like a treasure. Great job , Karen. I love it!
That was a nice surprise!! Thank you, Colleen!!
These are awesome, Karen! The chalkboard is a great idea, and I love how your seed packet box turned out 🙂 Pinned!
Thank you, Emily! This was so fun!!
Karen, I love the transformation of your swap items. I’ve never met a chalkboard I didn’t love and the box is just so pretty. Great job,
Shelly
Thank you, Shelly!!
My goodness, I love that chalkboard, and I can’t believe you thought to use the wreath form as an “easel.” That’s a crazy good idea. And the hat box looks so pretty! Great job!
Thank you, Kimm!!
GIRL. I cannot believe what you did! I was literally packing the box going, “She’s going to kill me for this random crap.” You are a miracle worker. My hat is off to you!
Ha!! I love a good challenge!! Thank you!!
Very cute ideas! And super clever using that wreath form to prop up the frame!
Thanks, Erin!
SO fun! I ‘m howling that you used the wreath as a holder for the chalk board. Genius. The box is the cutest… amazing that the seed packet image was in the frame… that’s adorable! Thrift SCORE. Thanks for joining the fun! xx
Thank you for letting me join in! It was a blast! Thank you!