Garage Sale Tote Upcycle With Dollar Tree Galvanized Fall Words

August 20, 2019
I picked up this little wooden tote in July at a garage sale.

I think it was $1.  

Have you seen these galvanized metal cursive words at Dollar Tree yet?  

Three words for $1, Thankful, Harvest and Welcome.


(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

First, I used my Ryobi CFS1503GK Compact Corner Cat Corded Orbital Finishing Sander  to sand off the stamped pheasant scene on the front of the tote.

Next, I brushed on some of my vinegar/steel wool stain mixture, but I didn't like the way the stain was working out.  This mixture works better on certain kinds of wood.  

I then tried a coat of Varathane Weathered Wood Accelerator.  

After I had the whole tote covered, and the wood accelerator was dry, I used 220 grit sandpaper to lighten up the stain a bit, and distress the edges.

I DID NOT seal the tote. The recommended lacquer is brutally strong smelling.  I prefer to not seal my Wood Accelerator pieces, or to use a spray acrylic sealer.  I have found the stain runs with brushed on water based poly. 

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Harvest was attached to one side of the tote.  Glue would work, but I was worried about glue oozing out from under the metal word.

Small holes were drilled in three spots and very small nails, like sawtooth hanger nails were hammered in.

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On side two Welcome was added.

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When it's the not fall season at my house, I can display neutral, everyday decor in my Welcome tote.

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But during the fall season, I can display faux pumpkins in my Harvest tote.

The orange pumpkins were purchased last year at Hobby Lobby, and the gray checked pumpkin is a Simply Autumn decor item from Joann Fabrics last season.  (Joann's has gray plaid pumpkins this season too, just a bit different).

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Of course fall foliage and florals are perfect in the tote too!

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I may add these fun galvanized words to more decor at that price!

Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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Comments

  1. What a great little tote, Carlene. You've done an outstanding job - AGAIN!!! Just beautiful. Of all the displays, I love the sunflowers. But, like you say the welcome side is perfect for most of the year! I can see a poinsettia or a Christmas figurine in there in Dec and come Feb, a few red roses. Love it!

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  2. These are so cute! My Dollar store needs to step their game up, we never have anything like this :-)

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  3. Super cute idea, and so easy. I haven't seen those galvanized words at Dollar tree. I will have to go check it out. Clever idea of putting welcome on one side and harvest on other so that you can just flip them around. Love how you display them.

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