Hi Sweet Friends!! Did you miss me? I sure missed y’all the past few days! I’m super excited about today’s post. It is another thrifty makeover, but this one is part of the Swap it Like it’s Hot series where blogger friends send each other a box of thrift store junk treasures to work their magic on. Mine came from my lovely friend, Shanna of Restoration Redoux:
Get a load of what she picked out for me to work some magic on:
A very patriotic box with drawer, a brass lantern, and a three-piece swag.
I have yet to do anything with the lantern, but after racking the creative corner of my brain, the other pieces were finally repurposed into this whimsical garden planter:
Cute, right?? That’s the patriotic box with the drawer and the three-piece swag thingy.
I also used this spindle that was originally part of a clothes valet that I spied busted apart on the curb on my way to pick my 13 year old son up from school a couple of weeks ago. He was thrilled that I stopped to pick up garbage off the side of the road on the way back. “Seriously, Mom!!”
I would never pass up a perfectly good spindle. 🙂
To make this, I first spray painted all the pieces black…
Then I added a little Vaseline on the edges here and there, anywhere I didn’t want the paint to stick, and followed it up with a couple of coats of white spray paint.
When it dried, I used a soft cloth to gently rub the areas I had added Vaseline to and the paint came right off.
I do love this technique but have only tried it with spray paint.
To construct this (in case anyone sends you similar treasures in the mail to make over), here’s what I did:
1. I cut the rounded piece off of the spindle.
2. Then I screwed one of the flat rectangular pieces from the little swag that I had cut into a square, into the top of the spindle.
3. That gave me something to attach the drawer (which I used on the bottom) from the patriotic box, to the spindle.
4. Then I screwed the other patriotic piece to the top of the drawer part, as the part that would hold the plant. I also drilled a couple of holes in the bottom for drainage.
I added another one of the rectangles from the three-piece swag to the front for more interest. I already had the glass knob and the metal piece from Hobby Lobby in my stash:
They were the perfect icing on the cake, but unfortunately the metal part started to rust after a good rain boo hoo! So I have since removed it. It’s still pretty with just the knob though.
To be able to easily get it into the ground, I cut the bottom of the spindle to a point.
Here it is from the back showing the opening that was once the drawer!
Shhhh. When I turn it around, no one will ever know.
I took these photos two weeks ago and that dormant bush in the foreground is covered in green foliage now!
Amazing what two weeks and a bunch of rain will do.
I sure hope you enjoyed this makeover!
If you missed it or are new around here, you might also like to see what I did with my swap items I received for round #4 back in the Fall:
Thrifty Sweater Upcycle and More {Swap it Like it’s Hot}
And here’s what I sent this round to my sweet friend, Christy from Our Southern Home:
I can’t wait to see what she dreams up for these thrift store finds! Check them out HERE now, and check out what the rest of my swapping friends are sharing all this week!:
If you missed my March Madness, 31 Thrifty Makeovers in 31 Days Series, where have you been??
See the final makeover and all links to the fist 30 HERE:
Thrifted DIY Fabric Covered Bulletin Board
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
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The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Between Naps on the Porch Just a
ColleenB.~Texas says
Absolutely love your cute little planter box even with the opening in the back as that will make for a great nesting box for robins being they don’t build nests in trees or shrubs; but in nesting boxes. Great job on coming up with such a cute and useful item for your garden area
I wish my brain and imagination worked the way yours does
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Colleen you are so sweet!! I never even thought about a bird making it’s home in that space…I love that idea! 🙂
ColleenB.~Texas says
will have to let us all know if a bird does decide to make it it’s home. Just might end up having baby birds
Christy K. James says
Wouldn’t that be awesome? I definitely will keep ya’ll posted! 🙂
Jenna says
Ha! I did laugh out loud when I saw your final piece Christy, very unexpected, and a definite wow! Thanks for sharing your unique painting technique, it turned out so adorable!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jenna! It’s amazing what junk can turn into lol!!
MrsSW says
Good morning, Christy – really cute planter, I’ll bet a wren has already checked out the opening in the back.
LOL – I can jut see you agonizing over parting with pieces from your stash. 🙂
Sheila
Christy K. James says
Thanks, MrsSW! I never even considered that a bird might nest in there…I hope one does!! 🙂
Christy Little says
This has to be one of my favorite transformations from this series! You really knocked this one out of the park! I love the farmhouse style it has. It’s going to be gorgeous this summer as that verbena takes off!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks so much, Christy!! Shanna sent me items I was really able to work with, thank goodness! XOXO
andi says
So cute! How do you come up with this stuff?!
xoxo
-andi
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Andi!! I work better under pressure, I think lol. I never would have purchased those items to make over, but was forced to for this series! 🙂
Angelia says
Sooo creative!!! I love it. However, your posts always have me running to the thrift store. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Ha ha sorry!! Thanks, Angelia!! XOXO
Bee says
This is beautiful!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Bee! XO
Jeanie @ create&babble says
That is the cutest little planter! Love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jeanie! 🙂
Shelly@ConfettiStyle says
Great transformations and I love, love, love your garden planter. Great idea.
Shelly
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Shelly! XO
Sandra@lookingforpotential says
This is so cute, great idea !! I never would of thought that putting Vaseline on the edges would do that , wow good idea. :))
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sandra!! I love this technique…I need to try it with chalk paint. 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
I also thought of a bird nesting in the open space in the back of the planter. It will be interesting to see if that actually happens. 🙂
The Vaseline technique worked perfectly on this piece to distress it. It looks great and I’ll be that the people who walk through your neighborhood have already admired it.
Christy K. James says
I know…I can’t believe I never even thought of that. I hope one does! Yes…love this technique! 🙂
Becky says
Oh wow! No way would I ever have recognized that junk in your cute planter!
Christy K. James says
I know, right?? I never would have bought these things to begin with, but for this swap I had to make something out of them…oh the pressure ha ha!
At Rivercrest Cottage says
this is so adorable. Thinking of making one or two for my planters. you did a fantastic job.
Christy K. James says
SO glad you like it…just know that you will have to water often since the small size doesn’t hold water very well. 🙂
Corinna - ADesignerAtHome says
Could a bit of sealer save the rusted piece? It looks soo pretty! It’s such a creative way of using those piece!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Corinna! Sealer may very well work…I was bummed to see it rusting with the very first rain!
Sally Luebben says
You are so creative!!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Sally! 🙂
Tania // Run to Radiance says
This is so brilliant and totally perfect for Spring! That spidle was in the right place at the right time! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania! I agree…even if I had to embarrass the kiddo to get it lol! XO
cassie @ primitive & proper says
this is awesome- so clever and cheery, too! i wish it was warm enough for flowers here right now!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cassie! It was 75 here yesterday…today it was 43 and actually started with snow flurries! I hope my poor flowers last till the warm weather is here to stay! XO
Tania says
O.M.G. That is so cute!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Tania! I was so tickled to see that not-so-great stuff turn into something super cute! 🙂
Jillian says
Love this! My eyes need as much spring as possible, out my window is nothing but snow!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jillian! We actually woke up to snow flurries yesterday boo hoo. The day before it was 75 go figure! XO
Jessica says
I love, love, love, love what you did with your pieces. This is gorgeous
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jessica!! XO
Marie, the Interior Frugalista says
I love the way your creative mind works, Christy. I would have never seen a pretty planter out of those items! I’m totally jealous that you have flowers and green shrubs while we woke up to snow this morning.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie!! That would be my creative mind…under pressure lol. I never would have thought those items could be anything great if I saw them at the thrift store myself! And we actually woke to snow flurries yesterday booooooo! It was 75 the day before that. Crazy weather!
LINDA says
THE WHITE FLOWER BOX WITH THE OPEN BOX ON THE BACK; I WOULD PUT A BIRD NEST AND A CERAMIC BIRD IN THAT SPOT
Christy K. James says
A few people suggested a real bird may try to nest in there, which I never thought about, so I’m hoping one does now. Love your idea too. 🙂
Joanne Taggart says
Good morning Christy! So glad to see your post. I was looking forward to seeing what you would do with those pieces. It came out really nice. I love it and would love to have one like it. You did a beautiful job. Now I wonder what you will do with the lantern. And “Seriously Mom!!” Hmmm, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, right in my own car with one of my sons. Laugh out loud funny! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.
Christy K. James says
Hi Joanne! I’m so glad you like it! I still need an idea for the lantern. I didn’t want to just paint it…I wanted to transform it somehow, so I’ve got a couple of ideas. Aren’t kids so funny? He was so afraid one of his friends would see…oh the horror! 🙂
Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says
That is too cute! I love the vaseline trick!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Karen! I love the Vaseline trick too! 🙂
Kimm at Reinvented & Roadkill Rescue says
Christy, I am flabbergasted! I’m pretty sure you win the prize for the “totalest” transformation. Way cool, girl. I loved seeing the photo of the items I sent you last fall, so fun!
Christy K. James says
Aww you are so sweet, Kimm thank you!! I had good stuff to work with…just like in the Fall! 🙂
Emily says
Christy, this is amazing! Your garden planter is so pretty and so clever!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Emily!! XO
Shanna Gilbert says
I had no doubt your creative mind would figure out something fabulous to do with the projects I sent you! This is darling!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Girl!! You really picked out some great pieces for me to work with!! XOXO
Jessica says
Shut the front door! This was freaking brilliant, friend! LOVE what you did!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jessica!! XO
Dena says
Genius! (And also super cute)
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Dena!!
Charlotte Smith says
You were MEANT for this! I canNOT believe you get this random box and think, ‘I know… I’ll make it into a PLANTER!’. What the WHAT? SO cute!!! I love it! Thanks for playing along! 🙂
Christy K. James says
You are so awesome, thank you, Charlotte!! It helps when you get stuff you can actually work with. I’ve been very lucky! Thanks so much for pulling this together! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
So, so funky fun and pretty too! Love your style, Christy!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Sweet friend!!! XOXO
Funky Junk Interiors - Donna says
Oh Christy! This is so cool! Who knew a bunch of junk puzzled together could be so beautiful! Featured you this weekend on Party Junk, thanks for linking up! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Donna!! I was thrilled to be able to make something out of that pile of junk ha ha! 🙂