Before and After...A Thrift Store Makeover

On the weekend, my good friend and I meet for breakfast.

We talk and catch up and laugh.

And then we go for a walk -

We try to catch a local consignment shop when it is open.

We have failed.

So this last week - we did a local thrift store.

 

I love to go thrifting.

I grew up thrifting and garage saling.

My mom and I spent countless hours on Saturdays and during the summer months looking for treasures.

My mom was an expert at finding something that looked sad and dated and turning it into a one-of-a-kind treasure.

She mastered the art of it long be "upcycling" became trendy.

And I carry that love with me to this day.

I feel a sense of thrill when I find something special.

Some of my favorite clothing items were thrift-store finds.

Most of furniture has treasures that I have found and repurposed.

I love it!

 

Back to this last weekend.

My friend and I pulled into the parking lot and I got a little giddy.

What would I find today? Anything?

Who knew...that's part of the fun!

 

We meandered through all the aisles looking for treasures.

A few gadgets for the kitchen.

A little something to decorate with.

Something to repurpose.

And then I flipped through the racks of sweaters.

I know the seasons are getting ready to change -

but it's still sweater season where I live.

 

I found a nice brown sweater vest -

it's long, will work good for work, and was in good shape.

It looked nice.

And the price was right.

With the colored tag of the day, I got the sweater for about $6.

Like I said ... it's nice.

But kind of...brown.

And plain.

Very plain.

I'm all about dressing it up.

But I decided this time, to do a little extra.

I have toyed with the idea of brightening up clothes with some art for a couple years.

But I never seem to get around to it.

 

I decided that it was time to change that.

So with a little felt, some embroidery floss, a needle and a couple hours for a few evenings watching a movie before bed....

 

This little sweater vest got a little splash of color.

Just a little something to say...

Hey! I'm special.

I'm a little different...

Kind of like me!

Hmmm...I wonder what else is in my closet that could use a makeover?

 



UPcycled Table

I met Mary Jane over 2 years ago.

She came to one of my shows and picked up a few items.

She then called to have me help her with a project -

To redo an old chair that had been her mother's.

The idea was to cover the chair with images that reminded her of her mom as a tribute to her.

 

Several months ago,

she called again.

This time to do another chair - but for her sister.

The chair was just like the first one - it had come from the same set that had been their mothers.

We covered it with images that reminded her sister of her children.

 

Then came the table.

The table had been mom's as well.

However, it had been subjected to quite a bit of abuse and didn't look very nice.

The finish was peeling off.

There are a few cracks in the wood.

It had been left out on a porch and exposed to the elements a bit too long.

But it was moms and Mary Jane could not bear to see it tossed out with the trash.

 

So she brought it over.

She wanted it to have the look of the outdoors since it will eventually live in their mountain cabin.

Mountains, a river, fish, a cabin, ferns -

 all of the things that they love about their cabin were to be included on the table.

 

A little sanding.

A little priming.

A lot of color and . . .

Mary Jane's sad and unloved table has been given a new lease on life.

 

 

This little table is still a work in progress.

There is still some detailing left.

And of course - a good finish to protect it for years to come -

But I think I was able to capture the feel of the love and joy that they experience at their mountain retreat!

More Upcycling

It's late Fall.

The weather is changing.

What I cook for dinner is changing with the seasons.

It's time for comfort food.

And in my world -

that means soup.

Lots of thick and hearty homemade soups.

 

Now when I make soups,

I use a lot of things like

stewed tomatoes and beans.

And because I am a lazy cook at times -

those items usually come in tin cans.

 

Depending on the soup,

once it is all assembled and simmering away

I look around and find my kitchen counter covered with tins cans.

Sometimes just one or two -

sometimes a lot more.

And although Oregon has a great curbside recycling program for all those cans -

I still feel a little guilty when I throw them out.

 

After a trip around pinterest and the web -

I found all sorts of upcycled ideas for tin cans.

TIN CANS!

Seriously - these are some awesome projects!

 

And now - I find myself wondering what other ways I can

upcycle tin cans.

I'm in trouble now . . .

I LOVE these - I mean really, really love these! Especially the contrast of the cans with the bling!

You know you've been looking for a more efficient way to store your yarn.

What a great desk organizer . . .

But this organizer is my favorite. I could so use something like this on my work table - although i would probably paint the cans rather than cover them in fabric!

Another great organizer. Love!

No need to explain - it's a great idea.

Who needs to buy an expensive cake plate? Make one out of recycled can and plates.

Finally - a way to store plastic bags, or tissues, or ???

And do these not make adorable planters? And talk about affordable. I love this idea, too.
 

So there you go -

 

Now before you throw away that next tin can -

take a minute and think about how it could be upcylced!

And if you have any other ideas - be sure to share!