Showing posts from 2017

Gift Ideas with Thrift Shop Finds, Paint & Stencils

December 28, 2017
This rough framed print was one of my  October Fall Finds.   I really purchased it just for the frame. I used this frame for a gift I made for my older daughter!  I used another thrift shop frame for a homemade gift for my younger daughter too.


Organized Clutter's Most Popular Blog Posts of 2017

December 26, 2017
When I do projects for Organized Clutter, I just never know which ones will be the most popular with my readers.   Here are the top 6 reader favorites in chronological order: 1. Thrift shop iron candle holders became spring bird's nest holders in my first popular post of 2017.  A great project does not need to be expensive or difficult. See the transformation here.


A Stenciled, Buffalo Check, Plaid, Repurposed & Upcycled Christmas Tour 2017

December 22, 2017
I don't do a full blown Christmas tour.  None of my children are in town, and I'm not a big entertainer so I have abbreviated holiday decorations.  They come for about 4 days. I decorate my kitchen, my living room and my covered patio.  AND I have a small tree now so I never have to remove living room furniture to put up a large tree. I will share my recent and some not so recent projects that I used in my 2017 Christmas decor.


Christmas Junk Project Favs Blog Hop

December 17, 2017
Welcome to the Junkers' United 2017 Christmas Junk Favs Blog Hop!  Join me and four other bloggers as we share our FAVORITE Christmas Junk!


Thrift Shop Hinged Box Upcycle with Paint and Stencils

December 15, 2017
I found this little box at the thrift shop last week for $2.99. The finish is very scratched and etched with names. The entire inside is lined with metal, so it wasn't a jewelry box. I think it would make a great desktop box for mail or envelopes or desktop supplies.


Thrifted Recipe Card Stand Re-purposed As Christmas Decor

December 13, 2017
A couple years ago I found this dated little recipe card stand/holder. This little stand was perfect for a makeover!


Ugly Thrift Shop Christmas Tree Upcycle

December 11, 2017
I found this skinny wooden Christmas tree at the thrift shop last week.   I think it was originally a primitive style, craft sale tree. But at some point the wooden tree was decorated with paper stickers and fake gifts were glued on the base.


Thrift Shop Vintage Child's Metal Folding Chair Christmas Upcycle

December 10, 2017
I found this little child's vintage metal folding chair at the thrift shop this week.   It's not the original paint job.  It's been spray painted red, but the spray paint has some dings and chips and scratches and rust, so it seems vintage.


Thrift Shop Repurposed Cutting Board Christmas Decor

December 07, 2017
I found a small cutting board at the thrift shop this week for $1. As you probably know, I love to repurpose and upcycle cutting boards!


Minnesota Floor Puzzle Piece Re-Purposed As A Christmas Tree Ornament

December 05, 2017
This is a piece from a United States Floor Puzzle I found at a local thrift shop. It's not wood.  It's pressed paper, but since it's a floor puzzle piece, it's a nice size for an ornament.


A YOU CUT Tree Farm Christmas Covered Patio

December 04, 2017
Back in October, I made this You Cut Tree Farm Sign with a stencil from * Old Sign Stencils  and a wooden frame with star cut out that I purchased at a flea market for $1. The theme for my rustic covered patio Christmas decor this year is a YOU CUT Tree Farm.   


Stenciling on an Old Window Screen with Old Sign Stencils

December 02, 2017
I recently purchased this old window screen painted dark green for $5.   It has some damage to the screen, but I think that may add to the charm of my project.


A Minnesota Buffalo Check Christmas Vignette

November 28, 2017
I started Christmas decorating today using some of my recent projects in the kitchen! My new vignette includes projects with Minnesota and Buffalo Check stencils!


Thrift Shop Wooden Salad Plates Repurposed As Christmas/Winter Decor

November 27, 2017
I have actually been hanging on to these wooden salad plates from the thrift shop since early 2017.  I have 4 of them, and they are marked "Made in Japan".  Today I gave them a Christmas/Winter makeover!


Thrift Shop Spice Rack Repurposed As Christmas Decor Shelf

November 26, 2017
This vintage wooden wall spice rack was one of my  Fall Junk Finds. At least I think it's a spice rack.  It's hinged with a lip to hold spice jars or maybe a recipe book.  Anyway, I purchased it for 75 cents at a thrift shop.


Thrift Shop Paper Towel Holder Repurposed as Rustic Christmas Decor

November 22, 2017
 One of my recent purchases posted to  Fun Fall Junk Finds  was this paper towel holder. It was made to sit on the counter and not hang on the wall. This is the back with prim style flowers.


Wooden Corner Shelf Re-Purposed As A Christmas Tree

November 20, 2017
 This corner shelf was one of the items in my  August Thrift Shop and Garage Sale Post.   My mom actually got it second hand at a sale in her apartment building. When I saw this shelf, I saw a Christmas tree. 


Create Boutique Style Gifts With Thrift Shop Finds

November 18, 2017
Besides creating great decor for your own home, you can create boutique style gifts for your friends and relatives too.   Like this thrift shop snowman tray above!  I paid $2.99 for it.   It was mass produced, machine painted, and dated.  I purchased this wall art mostly for the frame.  I paid $1.00. Let's make them into boutique style gifts anyone would love to give or receive.


Vintage Rusty Snow Shovel Sign

November 15, 2017
Do you pick up vintage yard tools at rummage sales?  Including old snow shovels?   Well I do, but I live in Minnesota.


Goodwill Faux Printer Tray to Stenciled Christmas Farmhouse Decor

November 12, 2017
I don't get to the Twin Cities very often, but I was able to visit a Goodwill in St. Louis Park.   I found this divided wood tray (among other things).  I wasn't sure exactly what my purchase was originally.  *One of my readers identified this item as a Mancala board.


Thrift Shop Repurposed Frame Christmas Tree 2017

November 11, 2017
Last year I took a pile of thrift shop frames and created a Christmas project!  The sizes were, measured from the outside edges, 12" x 10", 14" x 17", 17" x 24", and 5 3/4" x 7".


Vintage Tell City Footstool Gets a Boutique Style Up-cycle

November 09, 2017
I purchased this vintage Tell City footstool several years ago at a local primitive occasional shop for $20. The finish was very worn and the fabric was faded and soiled.


Thrift Shop Tavern Style Beer Sign Gets A Farmhouse Makeover

November 05, 2017
Here's one of my crazy purchases from the thrift shop!   Even though the sentiment "BEER Helping White Men Dance Since 1867" is pretty funny, it's just not a sign I really want in my home. Let's give it a farmhouse makeover!  I love the hinges on the frame.


Upcycled State Pride Thrift Shop Toolbox

November 03, 2017
  I think this little toolbox was a high school shop project.  The student had signed his name on the bottom. The price was right, and it had possibilities.


Thrifted Breadbox Gets Farmhouse Style with Paint & Stencils

November 01, 2017
Unfortunately, my "before" photos of my thrift shop breadbox are unavailable.  I had no memory card in the camera.  Senior moment! But I found my breadbox's twin on ebay.


Garage Sale Upcycle with Chalky Finish Paint & A Buffalo Check Stencil

October 31, 2017
This great little vintage table was one of my  garage sale and thrift shop finds in August. It's a somewhat unusual pedestal table because its top is rectangular and not round or oval.


The Great Minnesota Hot Dish "Sign"

October 29, 2017
I am having more fun today with my $4.99, 51 piece,  ArtMinds home state stencils from  Michael's. As you can see, my home state is Minnesota!


Thrift Shop Wooden Picture to Trendy Minnesota State Decor

October 28, 2017
 I purchased this little wooden picture at the thrift shop recently.   This is the back.  The picture is made from vertical slats joined by two more horizontal slats. I thought the little wooden picture has some upcycling potential.


Garage Sale Metal Vase Upcycled for Christmas Greenery

October 27, 2017
This large metal vase was one of my  August Finds at a garage sale.    After washing the vase, I painted it with two coats of Chalked Light Tint Base Paint, mixed in Chiffon Cream.     You could also spray the vase with Zinsser Bulls Eye Clear Shellac Spray  prior to painting to prevent rust or bleed through.  You could also use a Chalked Spray Paint.


Dated Thrift Shop Frame to Pet Memorial

October 26, 2017
Sorry I haven't posted for a week.  I was in the twin cities for four days last week and worked the rest.  It was a great trip to see kids, grandkids, enjoy great restaurants and shop. While I was in the cities, I visited a Goodwill, and purchased this dated wood frame with oval antique style, mirrored photo holders.  It was $3.99.


Fun Fall Junk Finds

October 19, 2017
I have to admit this little wooden wheelbarrow was not cheap.  I paid $30 for it at a local antique store but I had to have it.  The rusty wheel and the red chippy paint are just junk decor perfection!   Of course it will be awesome next summer in the junk garden , but I am hoping to work it into a Christmas vignette as well.


"You Cut Tree Farm" Christmas Sign with Old Sign Stencils

October 17, 2017
You just never know what you are going to find junkin'!  Like this $1 clearance frame painted in barn red with star cutout.  I think it was a cull from a local shutter business.  The frame is 22" x 26". Here is the makeover!


Wooden Thrift Shop Bookends Upcycled with Paint & Stencils

October 14, 2017
I purchased these wooden bookends very cheaply at a thrift shop recently.  


Thrifted FRAME Ideas for Holidays, Gardens, and the Home

October 11, 2017
Picture frames, framed mirrors and old framed cardboard style oil paintings are always available at thrift shops and garage sales.  I look for unusual sizes and shapes, (not just 5x7 or 8x10 photo frames) also frames with raised detail, and rustic reclaimed wood frames.  I always check the mitered corners to make sure they are nice and tight and not coming apart.   Links are provided under the photos to blog post tutorials.   This is an example of a great rustic frame of mine.  It's square rather than rectangular, and the wood shows it's age!   It was perfect for an outdoor bucket of greenery .


Thrift Shop Vintage Globe Bookends Upcycle

October 08, 2017
I purchased this set of vintage Made In Japan, Gifts Round the World bookends, at a thrift shop recently.   I love globes but I want to lighten up my decor so I decided to paint the dark wood.


Thrift Shop Candle Sconces Repurposed as Wall Book Shelves

October 07, 2017
My project today begins with two dark stained thrift shop candle sconces and a thrift shop wood plaque.


Add Farmhouse Style To A Garage Sale Shelf With Paint & Stencils

October 03, 2017
I purchased this wooden shelf in August at a garage sale.  I gave it a makeover.


Upcycled Garage Sale IN Box

September 29, 2017
This wooden "in box" was one of my  August Thrift Shop & Garage Sale Finds.    I sprayed many coats of Zinsser Clear Shellac Spray  to cover some ink stains in the bottom of the box first. The next step in my upcycle was to paint the box with Dutch Boy Chalky Finish Paint in Antiquated Lace .  I purchased my paint at our local  Menards.


Rummage Sale Stool Farmhouse Upcycle with Paint & Stencils

September 28, 2017
Do you remember this little stool from my  August Rummage Sale & Thrifting Finds  blog post?  It is a sturdy little stool with a metal tag in front that says "Chester" by Ty Sundberg.   My upcycle of the stools follows.