Hello sweet friends, and welcome back! I was planning to share an oldie this week since Jack is home, but I just finished up a cute little basket box that I thought I’d share instead!
I picked up this mini basket box for $2.98 at the thrift store:
I am always attracted to small boxes since everyone can find a use for them!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
The insides looked like they held some sort of floral arrangement at one time:
Or maybe it was a gift basket of some sort?
Remove the inards
I thought I’d just pop that piece of foam out and get on with it right?
This multiuse tool helped me to bust it out which did get it out in big chunks:
But I was left with several pieces that were stuck to the bottom good where it had been attached with glue, and I ended up having to remove most of what was woven in the bottom…
This project was not going according to plan.
But thank goodness for plan B!
Plan B
I decided to cut a new bottom instead out of a piece of scrap that I had in the garage:
I sanded it lightly all over with 220 grit sandpaper and it was ready for paint.
Before I could get to the fun part though, I decided to add these cute little feet to the bottom using wood glue:
I let those dry with a little bit of weight on them to be sure they were on there good:
Paint
If you saw my last Painting the Smalls post, I sold the petite candlesticks that I had painted in Sea Glass, so I was looking to add another piece to my booth in that color since it sells well for me here on the coast.
Instead of going with chalk paint though, I opted for the Silk which also comes in a very a similar color called Tide Pool:
I usually opt for chalk paint for my projects because it requires little to no prep and dries super quickly. That is important to me when I am in a hurry to get a project completed, which it seems I usually am lol!
Silk requires a scuff sanding to prep and can take up to two hours to completely dry since it dries from the top down, however, it has such a lovely finish AND has a topcoat built right in.
This basket already had a dull, flat finish as it did not seem to have a topcoat, so I went right to painting!
I started with the bottom and then flipped it over and painted the rest, including the new bottom I had cut for the inside:
I attached that piece with wood glue.
The addition of a pretty little glass knob was all that was left to do. I cut it down with my rotary tool using these metal cutting disks that I bought to go with it for cutting the posts on hardware…
I predrilled a hole a tiny bit smaller than my knob and then added a little E6000 glue to it and screwed it into the hole.
The After
Here is how this mini basket box turned out!
I didn’t realize how noticeable those tiny holes were until editing these photos. I may go back and fill them with Dixie Mud.
Because Silk has a built-in topcoat, there was no need to seal! Although, it’s safe not seal pieces like baskets anyway. Dixie Belle’s chalk paint will still cure to a durable finish after about three weeks. The finish will just be flat.
Silk is more like an eggshell sheen, in between a flat and a satin finish.
The knob is from Hobby Lobby. I get most of my knobs there since they’re 50% off every other week and super reasonable.
The inside
The inside got painted the same serene color, Tide Pool:
But I did add a little surprise to the bottom!
Y’all knew I would, right?
I went digging though my bin of transfer scraps and I ended up going with one of the birds from the Rare Birds transfer.
It has six birds in all that are easily cut apart:
I used three others on this project and this more recent project.
This one fit the bottom just right. I used a burnishing stick (included with the transfers) to transfer it to the bottom. Then, I sealed just the bottom part with Clear Coat in satin to protect the transfer:
*HOT TIP*
Are you messy with your paint jars like I am? The lid to my Clear Coat was stuck in place, and I thought I would share a tip for getting them open.
Take a piece of sandpaper…
Place it rough-side-down onto your stuck lid and twist:
The sandpaper really grips the lid and should help you to open it more easily:
You can also add a piece of plastic wrap over the opening before putting your lid on, but if you’re messy like me, give this tip a try next time.
I just love this transfer against this pretty color!
This is such a functional box now, perfect for remotes, for dropping your wallet and keys on the way in, or whatever you can imagine!
I hope y’all enjoyed this small, but sweet makeover today!
I get to cross one more piece off the list!
See everything I’ve redone so far in this haul below:
Mirrored Wall Shelf Makeover
Rolling Buffet Makeover
Painted Antique Side Table
Pretty in Blue Box Makeover
A Great way to Repurpose a Chair
Painting the Smalls #20 (Six mini makeovers!)
White Painted Desk with Transfer
*Reminder: My Etsy shop is going on vacation!*
For my youngest son’s spring break the week after Easter, we will be heading out of town. I am a one-woman show, so my Etsy shop will be on vacation with us!
I’ll be closing the shop at noon on Saturday, April 8th and will reopen the following Friday, so if you’re in need of supplies, get those orders in! I’ll continue to post reminders until then!
I’ll be back with my Trash to Treasure girls on Tuesday sharing what I did with this stool:
Enjoy the rest of your week and have a beautiful weekend!!
UPDATE: This stool turned out so sweet! See it HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Get FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50. No code needed at checkout! Orders under $50 always enjoy $8 flat rate shipping! Most orders ship same or next business day!
Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is so beautiful now! I LOVE the feet on it, and the tranfer inside is such a nice surprise when you open the box! I was thinking that instead of remotes it would be a great stash/hiding spot for chocolate!! It would certainly make your chocolate taste richer being stored in a beautiful box like this.
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! YES!! I am always in need of a good hiding spot for my chocolate lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Love the color of the box and knew you would have a surprise for us inside. Just enjoy spending time with Jack. Have a great week-end.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I have really enjoyed having Jack home…the week is going by way too fast! XOXO
Jackie C says
Turned out so pretty. Thanks for the tip on opening the jar! I agree with filling those holes, it was the first thing I noticed. I’d bet you already have 💕
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! You’re welcome…it works great! I haven’t filled those holes yet ha ha! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
So cute.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! XOXO
Niki says
One of my favorite colors! This is a cute little box. I would use it to hide mail, tv remotes, or some sort of treasures I’m sure.
Christy says
Thanks, Niki! It is such a pretty color! Ooh mail, it is the perfect size for that! XOXO
Charleen says
That is beautiful. What transformation. I love the sweet surprise inside. Doesn’t every little box need a surprise? Lovely color as well. Have a blessed day and enjoy your time with your boys.Time seems to fly when they are young and then they’re grown .
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! Yes, it does lol. And yes…time is flying by!! Enjoy your weekend too! XOXO
Rebecca says
Awesome! I love the color.
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! XOXO
Michele M. says
LOVE this box! I kinda liked it all driftwood looking cuz I am usually a big time neutral gal – but just love the way it turned out. The surprise inside was a fun discovery too. Someone will be very lucky to get that piece.
Question: did you wash it first? You usually say when you do, Miss White Lightning Gal – so thought I’d ask.
Lastly – GREAT tip on stuck jar opening! Brilliant. I am soooo messy. I usually have luck turning cans upside down and whacking hard a few times on the basement cement floor….somehow nearly always works. But your idea is better because then it’s not being put upside down, which of course can perpetuate the mess. And the circle remains unbroken. eh?
Hope you have a great vacay – won’t be that long, time is flying!
Christy says
Thanks, Michele! I did not wash it first. Usually with baskets, I just give them a good vacuum with a brush attachment first to remove any dust. Glad you enjoyed that tip and yeah, it won’t bust the lids lol! have a great week! XOXO
Cecilia says
Very sweet. Love the surprise inside ( and yes, I would have been surprised if you hadn’t added it. 😍).
Christy says
Ha ha thank you, Cecilia!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I bet you are enjoying having Jack home! This box turned out so pretty and that transfer looks pretty inside. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I have been making poor choices with my makeovers lately. Ok painted a dresser with the silk color Harbor and I am not happy with it at all. I walked away until I can decide what to do with it. Then I wondered to myself why I bought the farmhouse transfer instead of one I could use on the dresser. I’m telling you I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m stuck. Do you ever get stuck? Probably not. You have everything right there. 😭. What would you use with Harbor?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! He just left to head back, but it was so nice to have him home! I get stuck ALL THE TIME! But, yes, I do have access to all the things, but I also have a deadline, which keeps me on track more. I really have no choice but to figure things out and get on with it. Do you have any of the silkscreen stencils you could use with it? Maybe add something in white over the Harbor just along the tops of each drawer maybe? Kind of like how I just did a row of one piece I cut from the Roses stencil on this piece: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/stenciled-demilune-table/ XOXO
Elise Howell says
Christy,
I, too, enjoy little boxes, baskets, any container really. One of my favorite techniques is how you do a “peek-a-boo” on the inside with a pretty stencil, or with lovely fabric on the inside of drawers. You always do that extra cool thing that makes your already creative projects even better! And I love the transfer on the leg of the bench on an earlier one. You continue to produce eye-candy for your fans. THANK YOU! My best, Elise
Christy says
Aww you are so kind, Elise, thank you! I really appreciate that. That little extra is always fun to add! XOXO