Hello lovely Friends! Today I’m sharing a fun thrifty makeover as part of the Christmas Ideas Tour, and as a sweet addition to my Christmas décor.
All this week, my friends have been sharing Christmas ideas to get you pumped for the Holidays. I’ll be sure to post the links to each festive idea at the bottom!
Of course I chose “Thrifty Crafts Thursday” because you know thrifty is my thang.
I found this clock at the thrift store for $2.50 a little while back:
I don’t know why but when I saw this clock, I immediately thought Christmas! I thought it could be so cute to replace the clock inside with a pretty Christmas scene.
Easier said than done, my friends.
The space inside was about only about 2″ deep so I was very limited, but I think I managed to make it work:
Isn’t it sweet? Since the space was not deep at all, not even a bristle brush tree that was at least taller than Mr. Snowman would fit in there. And the Christmas village figures were just too tiny to fill the space properly.
Here’s what I found to create this one-of-a-kind addition to my Christmas decor:
(I also used a hot glue gun and hot glue.)
I started by removing all the clock parts from the inside as well as the glass front. Then I painted the shell in Behr’s Cottage White DIY chalk paint, and waxed it with clear wax. You could just as easily spray prime and paint this if you wanted.
I added the glass back, securing it in place with hot glue:
The tissue paper tree was an ornament that my son made in 2nd grade and it was the perfect size to fit in my little scene. This is also a sweet way to save it! Poor thing, he made me promise not to sell it. I assured him I would never do that.
I made the joy banner with stickers and scrapbook paper scraps (originally from Hobby Lobby), and attached it to the ornament hanger at the top of the tree…
The little snowman came from Hobby Lobby also. I hot glued him and the tree to the base, then added Buffalo Snow Flurries (from Michaels).
Then I hot glued pretty paper to the back, and covered that with a piece of the stiff backing from a scrapbook paper pad that I cut to fit.
It was very simple to put together once I decided what to fill it with.
I found the snowman first. I just thought he was so cute!
The little tree ornament had the same glittery sparkle.
I added the spray (from Michaels) on top to finish it off.
This would make a great gift idea, filled with photos and mementos as well, don’t you think?
This table and mirror usually sit in the corner to the left of my TV. I had been eyeing this mirror at Kirklands for forever, but at $169, it was just more than I wanted to spend. Then at the Haven Blogging Conference this past Summer, I entered to win a $15o Kirkland’s gift certificate and won! I rarely win anything! I knew exactly what I wanted to buy with it. Thank you, Kirklands! 🙂
You can see where it usually lives here in this picture from my Vintage Sign from Fencing post:
I had to move it to the other side of the TV since we put our tree in that corner. I like how it reflects the light from the window in the kitchen.
It might just have to stay there after Christmas!
(I’ll be sharing my whole living room decked out for Christmas on Monday woohoo!)
Hope you enjoyed this fun thrifty Christmas décor idea! I don’t really know what it would be called specifically? It’s a globe, but it’s not a globe. A diorama, like from 7th grade?? What would you call it?
Here are all the creative ideas from this week’s tour! Enjoy!
Monday – Mantels
Petticoat Junktion
My Creative Days
2 Bees in a Pod
Restoration Redoux
Atta Girl Says
Art is Beauty
Cottage at the Crossroads
Housepitality Designs
Shabbyfufu
Tuesday – Tablescapes
Postcards from the Ridge
Town and Country Living
Hunt and Host
Savvy Southern Style
All Things Heart and Home
HighStyle Restyle
This Makes That
Wednesday – Wreaths
Domestically Speaking
Our Southern Home
Mad in Crafts
H2O Bungelow
Sweet Pea
Around The Watts House
Thursday – Thrifty Crafts
Dukes and Duchesses
Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Prodigal Pieces
The Interior Frugalista
Cupcakes and Crinoline
Girl in the Garage
I’ll be back tomorrow sharing what I made with these for our GYDO “Thrifty Holiday Projects” theme:
Update: see this fun and thrifty project here now!
You can also visit my Christmas Home tour here if you like:
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at these great parties:
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 Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista
mary says
I love your site…such a cute idea wasn’t expecting that when I went to the after picture !!! you are so creative !!!!
Susan says
Such an adorable and very clever idea! I love the way it turned out and especially using your son’s art work.
Lindsay Eidahl says
I love what you did with this clock! Shadow boxes are so much fun and this one is perfect for the holidays! It has been fun touring with you this week!
Paula@SweetPea says
Your are so clever, Christy! I love how you repurposed this clock into a shadow box. It looks great with your pretty Kirkland’s mirror. And congrats on winning that $150 prize.
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
This is ADORABLE, Christy! You and I would have so much fun thrifting together singing “Jingle Bells” all the way. 😀
Christy K. James says
Ha ha yes we would!! Thanks, Larissa! XOXO
Sue Farmer says
Love it!!! And hilarious that your son made you promise not to sell it!! He knows Mommy well.xoxo
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I know, right?? SO glad you like it, Sue! XOXO
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
So cute Christy.
Kris
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kris! XO
Tara C says
I absolutely love what you’ve done with the clock. I never would have thought of it! Such a cute little craft. Merry Christmas!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tara! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Mary-the boondocks blog says
This is such a special little box. You’re able to store all of your keepsakes while displaying them. Great repurpose!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Mary! 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
What an adorable idea! If I can find something similar, I’m so doing this!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Anele! Yes, do it! 🙂
Maryjean Zajac says
what a cute idea! i love the idea of filling with momentos. i just might have to steal your idea and have my grandson make one for his mom (with Nana’s help). now i guess need to score a clock. P.S. i live in the Buffalo area and we don’t have any snow yet. We just might have to get some of that “Buffalo.Snow”! ;))
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Mary! Yes this would be a great project to do with your grandson! Ha ha about the snow! 🙂
Nancy says
Very clever! The best part is that you featured your son’s artwork in what will be a family keepsake, which sends a wonderful message to him.
I hope that you saved the clock-face and mechanism for a steampunk project!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Nancy! He loves that his little tree made it into the clock, now that he knows I’m not selling it ha ha. And I did save the clock face.:)
Miguel Franco says
Hi Cristy.
So so so Cute!!!
I will try this.
Greetings from Mexico.
Christy K. James says
Awesome, Miguel thank you! XO
Marie at The Interior Frugalista says
That is adorable Christy – how clever you thrifty craft Goddess! I love the vignette you created around it too. The mirror adds so much to the vignette – woot woot on the winnings!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie you are so sweet! I was SO excited to win that since I knew exactly what I wanted!!
Terry Moore says
So creative, so cute and so thrifty…simply adorable.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Terry! 🙂
Kris Turner says
This is so awesome! I love shadow boxes and this is such a great idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration. Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas!
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad you like it, Kris…thank you! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well! XO
Rita says
Simply amazing. You always come up with the best ideas. I come up with the best COPYING of your ideas, LOL. Thank you for the inspiration.
My big question is: how do you juggle it all? My house goes to pot when I create? Perhaps I am terrible at time management but how do you do it?
Even if I get one little hint, that would help.
It looks awesome!
Rita
Christy K. James says
Ha ha copy away! And don’t let me fool you for one single solitary moment! My house is always a wreck, but I do clean it from top to bottom (everything back in its place) every Monday. I don’t go crazy keeping it picture perfect all week. We LIVE in our house, but on Monday…I know it will be clean again, and that helps me keep my sanity! 🙂
Rita says
OK, so at day devoted to putting it all back. Noted. You do it SO well.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That is just beautiful Christy! I love it…so creative. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy pants!! Mwah!!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Oh how fabulous!!!….Just love this…Now I will be on the lookout for clocks!!….Yes, would make a great diorama!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shirley!! I think it would be great with black and white photos in it? I’m keeping my eyes peeled for another too. 🙂
Sandra says
I am continually amazed at the creativity here. Oh My Goodness. I love this. It’s beautiful and such a good way to save your sons’ handiwork. Beautiful!!!
Christy K. James says
Thank you so much, Sandra! Sweet comments like yours totally make my day! I too love that I was able to give my son’s ornament a special place. 🙂
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
This is so pretty, Christy. I love everything you did with it. One of my son’s picked up a clock similar to this (roadside rescue) and I’ve had it sitting around and could not think of anything to do with it but you totally knocked yours out of the park as usual. Perfect for Christmas.
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks so much, Mary Beth!! I want to find more now ha ha. XOXO
Becky says
This is really, really cute!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Becky! 🙂
victoria says
Hi Christy is so cute ¡¡ very creative. Love it as …ALWAYS¡¡
I adore your Kirkland mirror ( here in Spain the one I like is about 250$ …. so I decide to made by self one ( very plain 🙁 ) with a rest of a broken door…
On the other hand each time I see your media Tv cabinet I think is very balanced with the rest . specially after the beach sign ..( dont paint it) , the entire space is really pretty¡¡
Kisses from Madrid XOXO
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Victoria! I am liking the TV cabinet better now too for some reason. I have put painting it on hold for now. XOXO
Sharon Davidson says
I LOVE this clock. My mom has one that does not work so when she is not looking I’ll have to nab it, LOL. Only problem is, will Jack make a paper tree for me, just kidding :-).
Christy K. James says
Ha ha…my original plan was to copy his tree in darker greens, but I had no idea how he made it and almost had him help me! Hope you can nab your Mom’s! 🙂
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
Christy, this is genius! I never would have thought to do that!
CLEVER GIRL!
Hugs,
Karin
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Karin! 🙂
Marilyn Stein says
I have had a very similar clock case, also painted white and distressed, hanging in the hallway for many years now. My mother collected gnomes, and I created the case to display a few that were her favorites. My case is totally open with just the wall at the back, but I think now I will consider enclosing it like you did. Not only would it be pretty, but it would solve the dusting problem! Thanks for another great idea!
Christy K. James says
Glad I could help ha ha. I bet yours is cute with the gnomes! 🙂
Carole says
Very cute make-over. I love that you looked at that clock and knew exactly what you wanted to do with it. You have a wonderful eye; which was very evident in your shopping video the other day. I love your blog and always look forward to creativeness.
Christy K. James says
You are so sweet, Carole thank you! I’m glad it worked out. 🙂
Kim says
You come up with the best ideas. I would never have thought of doing that. So cute!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Kim! XO
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
Genius Christy! Love what you did with that clock!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Maryann! XO
Mary says
Ok you are just way to clever!! I only see a clock when I look at it. You could see past the obvious.
I’m just not crafty. Well done
Christy K. James says
Aww you are so sweet, Mary and too hard on yourself! I wasn’t even exactly sure if it could work, but I’m glad it did. 🙂
Kim @ Hunt & Host says
You always have the best ideas Christy. I love that this is such a unique way to share a special treasure from your little. Great job!!!
Christy K. James says
Aww thanks, Kim! I love that I was able to use his little tree in there too! 🙂
Robin says
This is adorable, Christy! Basically, this is now an upscale SHADOW BOX FRAME, right!?! OMG! The endless possibilities! Absolutely love it! So glad I found your site. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Robin! Yes, exactly! I want to find more now lol, and I’m so happy you found me too! XO
Chris says
Christy is so adorable! I love it, what a great way to display treasures.
Chris
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Chris! XOXO
Kimm at Reinvented & Roadkill Rescue says
All right, now I’m just getting jealous! 😉 That is fantastic. You are so talented at finding great stuff, and a genius at the transformations, my friend!
Christy K. James says
You are sweet, thank you! XO
Pili says
Love love love it!! It is a gift you have to be able to see what it can be done with a thrift find like that, it turn out so pretty! Your boy made me laugh when telling you not to sell it haha!
I would love if you share it with us at the party we host each Tuesday which is called Two Uses Tuesday.
Happy Holidays!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Pili! So glad you like it! And yes my son was very serious about not selling it lol! XO
Karey says
Love it, but I am a clock girl so I would have loved the white frame for the clock too!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Karey…funny I didn’t even think to keep it as a clock, but that probably would have been pretty! 🙂
Linda says
Thanks to “Better After” I now have a new blog to follow so I suppose I should say “thank you” to both of you! I love this idea and its possible applications to other items we might have around the house. And, for someone who doesn’t have a lot of room for Christmas decorations it packs a lot of Christmas punch!
Christy K. James says
Awesome and welcome, Linda!! I’m so glad you found me! XO
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Oh Cristy, I am so in love with this! The most amazing part is that your son made the tree in the background. I honestly thought it was from a high end store and wanted to know where I could get one! ;o)
Christy says
Aww you are so sweet, Lucy! I love that I was able to preserve his sweet ornament in such a great way! XO