Hello hello, dear friends! Thank you SO much for all the love y’all sent my way on the antique serpentine dresser I shared on Thursday! Looks like it was definitely a favorite! After all that work, I am back today with some easy breezy makeovers and my sixth installment of Painting the Smalls!
The smalls are the little things I paint for my booth that don’t always make the blog because they are well, small. Every once in a while it is fun to gather several together and share them as a group! Dixie Belle is doing well in my booth these days, but the smalls used to be how I made my rent some months.
Most of these pieces are from my First Post Shut-down Thrift Store Haul:
Here’s what’s getting their big makeovers today… I did end up keeping one of these items. Let’s see if you can guess which one:
Brace yourselves…lots of white ahead, but first let’s start with something that didn’t go white, this black basket that I got a great deal on for $2.25:
I found three metal baskets that day, and this was my least favorite, but it ended up being the easiest update ever!
I dry brushed it with Sea Glass and that was that. It turned out pretty darned cute:
Amazing what a little color can do! I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I’m not sure what else you could use it for, but it’s pretty holding a few seashells. I didn’t do any sanding this time. I just didn’t paint it completely…
I didn’t seal it with anything either.
Up next is this set of bookends I picked up for way more than I would have like to have paid at $7.25 for the set:
This particular thrift store is usually pretty cheap, but they raised their prices after the shut-down. These were brand new though.
A simple white paint job did wonders for it:
I spray primed first with Rustoleum’s spray primer and then followed up with a coat of Dixie Belle’s Cotton. A quick sanding with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge highlighted some of those pretty curves:
Another find from my first thrifting trip back is this wall clock I picked up for $6.25:
It was actually fine as is except the corners and edges were all worn and it looked pretty beat up.
I gave it a refresh with one coat of Cotton:
I photographed it real quick while I still had this cutie pie table and chairs set up last week!
A light sanding on the rough wood reminds me of old fence pickets which I love, but haven’t come across in a while…
Fixed it right up!
Up next is this picnic basket I picked up for $4.95:
I loved the wide weave on this one.
A quick spray all over of Rustoleum Spray primer gave it a great base:
You can see the bookends in there too along with a couple of other things that got quick makeovers. Using my medium spray shelter not only stops the wind from blowing away the spray, it also prevents the spray from hitting our black fence!
Then I followed up with one coat of Sea Glass while I still had it out from the wire basket.
I decided it needed a little something more, so I added this simple wreath stencil to the top:
You can see more on how I add stencils and what I use HERE. It involves spray adhesive.
Again, I sanded all over with 220 grit sandpaper. I sealed the top with Dixie Belle’s Best Dang Wax in clear.
You can see a little of the white coming through which I love with Sea Glass:
The inside got the same treatment, although I wish I would have added something to the back of the lid. I still might. I think it needs a little starfish or something…
And here is that little rocking horse you saw in the spray shelter:
I picked it up for $2 back in the Fall. Honestly, it was perfectly cute the way it was, but not necessarily for decor purposes.
As you saw, this got a coat of spray primer also and that was actually all I gave it.
Then I used my distressing block to “distress” here and there using Dixie Belle’s Coffee Bean:
And finally, this basket was a pre-shut down find that I picked up for half off of $5.25:
I had actually spotted it on one trip and passed on it because one of the pieces holding it together on the bottom had come undone. It was 50% off the next time I went it so I got it, and it ended up being an easy fix!
I love how this one turned out!
Of course it is white, my favorite! This is one coat of spray rustoleum primer also, followed by one coat of Cotton. I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper on this one too.
I just love a painted basket!
I left it unsealed. The number one was a thrift store find last year that was part of a “2015” New Year’s decoration. I used the two on another basket a while back. I just wired it in place with craft wire.
And I didn’t get a good shot of the pitcher holding the hydrangeas, but it was also from that haul! It was a steal at $6.25:
It makes for the perfect vase for a large arrangement, and I also used in Thursday’s Antique Serpentine Dresser Makeover:
Looks fancy, huh? Yep…thrift store…six bucks!
Any guesses as to which piece I kept??
And that’s a few more knocked off the list!
If you missed how I redid the other two pieces, you can see the box HERE and the coasters HERE!
Looking for even more smalls? Check out my last set of smalls HERE!
I’ll be back on Thursday with ANOTHER ROUND OF SMALLS:
See y’all then!
UPDATE! No need to come back, see this set of smalls HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Petra says
All sweet pieces 😀 I think the bookends are my fave! xo What did you end up keeping?
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! They are so much better with their fresh coat of white! I’ll share what I kept on Thursday! XOXO
Sarah Bull says
I look forward to coming home from work (Australian time) on Tuesdays and Thursdays to read and view your makeovers. Lovely, as always 💖 When using spray adhesive on my stencil, I have residual stickiness on my makeover item. What am I doing wrong?!
Christy says
Aww I love that, Sarah! Thank you!! As for the spray adhesive, the brand I use which is the general purpose formula that does not have a super sticky bond has never given me that issue. I have had it happen with another brand though. If you are sealing with wax, you can buff the sticky residue out easily with the wax as you are sealing. I’m not sure what else would get it out. XOXO
Mary Kasier says
Wow every thing turned out so beautiful! I love it when you do the smalls. I think you probably kept the picnic basket, or the rocking horse. I would have had to keep them all!! I am so excited that your going to have a give away, can’t wait to see what it is!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! They are fun for me too! I do have to stop myself as I want to keep things all the time lol. Those are good guesses…I’ll share what I kept on Thursday. And this giveaway is GOOD! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
What a nice selection of smalls! My favorite piece is the wire basket, love the Sea Glass color. Great job Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! I always enjoy doing the smalls, and I love that basket also! XOXO
September says
I’m guessing you kept the pitcher but they all turned out great.
Christy says
Thank you, September! I did keep the pitcher…that was a lucky find and I also kept one thing I redid! XOXO
Susan says
The sweet rocking horse! A great piece for staying and decor! Wish I would find one when I go thrifting!!!
Christy says
Many people guessed the horse! It is such a cute decor piece! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Great job of each of these. It would be hard to pick which one to keep but kinda think you chose the book-ends.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! Great guess! I’ll share on Thursday! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! I always enjoy your Painting the Smalls blog posts. Lots of good finds. I am going to guess either the rocking horse or the vase to put your beautiful flowers in.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! I did have some goodies this go round! I did keep the vase for sure and that rocking horse was a cutie! XOXO
Sue says
I do love the smalls. You do such interesting things with each. I believe the horse is the one you kept! But if it were me, I would have a hard time not keeping them all! Your makeovers are so inspiring! Thanks again for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! The smalls are fun for me too! It is hard to not keep them all and the horse is a good guess…I do love that! XOXO
Christine says
I think I you kept the rocking horse?
Christy says
Great guess, Christine! XO
Christina says
Fun fun fun!!! Love how you transform your smalls. 🙂
I’m thinking you changed your mind about that wire basket. I sure like it. And I’m also betting the pitcher.
Be safe, be well and create on!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Christina!! You know me well! XOXO
Rebecca - NC says
Amazing!!!! It’s a tough guess, but I’m guessing you kept the pitcher??🤷♀️😂. It always amazes me how great these turn out!!!! ❤️
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! I did keep the pitcher plus one of the items I painted! It’s hard not to keep them all lol! XOXO
Julie Hall says
You kept the rocking horse.
Christy says
Good guess, Julie! 🙂 XOXO
Karen A Cronk says
Good Morning! Such fun to see what you have done with “littles!” Picking up a new pair of glasses today and then headed to the thrift shop with a best friend! It’s our first trip there since the close down, and I planned the glasses pick-up around the thrift shop’s new hours! Priorities! : ) Can’t wait to see what treasures await! Did you keep the clock? I’m going out on a limb here because I know it said “London” and not “Paris!!!”
Christy says
Good morning, Karen! Thank you, and I LOVE your priorities ha ha! I hope you find some treasures today! I was tempted, but did not keep the clock. 🙂 XOXO
Lorri says
I bet you kept the little horse. You could use as a cute prop.💞
Christy says
I did love that little fella! 🙂 XOXO
Betty Bilnoski says
They’re all lovely! My guess is you’re keeping the rocking horse.
Christy says
Thank you, Betty! I loved that little fella! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Love them all!
Christy says
Thank you, Larissa! XOXO
Kandie says
You have such an eye for pieces that will benefit from some TLC. Lovely accent pieces today!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kandie! XOXO
Susan Williams says
Nice finds and makeovers! I bet you kept the horse! That was my favorite.
Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! He was a cutie! XOXO
Cecilia says
Nice! No idea which one you kept, but the rocking horse gets my vote. Lol.
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! I do love him too! XOXO
Cindy D says
At first I was thinking it was definitely the rocking horse, until I saw the black iron basket with that lovely seaglass blue. So the basket is my guess. If not…..I love it! You motive me girl! 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, Cindy! Great guesses! XOXO
Joni says
No fair leaving us in the dark! My guess is one of the baskets? I love seeing smalls transformed. I don’t know why, it’s just mesmerizing lol
Christy says
Ha ha! You know I love baskets!! Thank you so much, Joni! XOXO
Sue Verbaan says
Hi Christy,
It’s hard to guess, they all look great. I think you already have a small rocking horse, maybe you keep the book ends to use in your home plus in your staged photos. It would be hard to let go of many of the items you rescue.
I enjoy your blog very much. Wish I lived close by to visit your booth.
Sue Verbaan
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! It is really hard to let things go sometimes! Great guess and yes, I do have a small horse already! XOXO
Donna says
All nice makeovers. I bet your favorite was the basket painted white.
Christy says
Thank you, Donna! I do love that basket!! XOXO
Bev w says
Oh so beautiful! Love love the wire basket
Christy says
Thank you so much, Bev! I love that one too! XOXO
Beb6Bev says
Ha! Went to goodwill and there was a basket calling my name! Yes it looks like yours now
Christy says
Yay!!! That’s awesome! 😊
Alice says
I would have kept the pitcher…for so many reasons. WHat did you keep?
Christy says
I definitely kept the pitcher and also one item I redid! XOXO
Deanna says
Love when you do up your “smalls”. Hard to know which you would have kept…..was it the bookends? Second guess would be the pitcher….
Christy says
Thank you, Deanna! I did keep the pitcher and the bookends are a good guess! XOXO
gwen says
what great pieces Christy! i’m going to guess that you’re keeping the rocking horse!
i was just admiring my stash of picket fencing yesterday as i drove by it…..someday my little She Shed will come together and it’ll go up!
Christy says
Thank you, Gwen! Good guess! I haven’t been yard saling in quite some time which is when I usually come across discarded fence pickets. They are so fun to work with…sounds like you have quite the stash going!! XOXO
paula says
Everything looks so much brighter and fresher! I think that first basket might be a basket for collecting eggs from the henhouse (or made to look like one); how cute it is with shells!! Love the sea glass color!
Christy says
Thank you, Paula! It’s amazing what a little paint can do! Yes, I believe you are right about the wire basket, but it is fun with the shells! XOXO
TAMMY CAMP CIANCIULLI says
I’m guessing you kept the clock?
Christy says
Good guess, Tammy! That clock would be great for staging! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
Love all of these makeovers! My first guess was the rocking horse, but then I changed my mind. I’m thinking you kept that beautiful blue wire basket. It could have so many different uses. So which one did you keep?
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! You know me well, Debbie!! Will share on Thursday! XOXO
Cheryl W says
I think the pitcher is a keeper, correct? I love the huge size; and it would never leave my house. Is it Ironstone?
Nice job on all your smalls. Quick projects are so fun!
Christy says
Yes, the pitcher is definitely a keeper! It doesn’t have any markings on it, but it looks like ironstone. Thanks, Cheryl! I do enjoy these quickie projects! XOXO
Janet Schen says
I like them all! I think you kept the pitcher and the wire basket. Those are what I would have kept. Love the sea glass color!
Christy says
Thank you, Janet! I definitely kept the pitcher and great guess on the basket! I love that Sea Glass color too! XOXO
Charleen says
I enjoy the smalls,when you post them. Love all you do. I Think you kept the wire basket . Happy crafting,up cycling and every thing else!lol
Christy says
Thank you so much, Charleen! I do love that wire basket one for sure! XOXO
Mary Loveland says
Sheesh! I love them all! Bet they would ALL sell really well; like the new color. You are so so good at that! Be well.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! I love restocking with all these littles! XOXO
Jacki Gherardi says
Love, love these transformations! 💕. I was going to ask you if I could buy the horse! I have always loved your other one and have been looking for a few years now! And I’m a sucker for a pitcher too! I need to get painting! Thanks for your inspiration, I sure need it now!
Christy says
Thank you, Jacki!! I’ll email you separately about the horse. This one is a cute one! I did definitely keep the pitcher. I am most motivated to tackle all these smaller items after I have just cleaned and organized my workspace. Then I gather a pile of items and get busy! XOXO
M. Constance Colvin says
Hmmm……I think you kept either the little wire basket OR the white #1 basket? (-:
Christy says
You know me SO well! XOXO
Wendy says
Beautiful as always! I loved every piece you did. So much talent!
I’m guessing the sea glass wire basket with the shells in it – too cute – and the pitcher.
Hard not to keep them all!! Haha! Hope all is well. Wendy 💜
Christy says
Thank you so much, Wendy! Great guesses!! And yes, it hard to not want to keep everything lol! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love seeing all the smalls!! Such big changes with a little paint. And that dresser…oh my, might be my favorite you’ve ever done! Stunning! xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, my sweet friend!! That dresser may be my favorite also!! XOXO
Julie Ritter says
Very cute on everything. I would have kept the rocking horse too….
Christy says
Thank you, Julie! Great guess…I do love that! XOXO
Cindy Lee says
I just love it when you fancy up the smalls! They’re all so pretty! I’ve tackled some myself. I’m not brave enough yet to do the big pieces though😁. Whenever I’m at my local SA, GW or garage sale, I always think to myself, WWCD? That stands for “What Would Christy Do”😉I guessed that pretty little pony would have been a keeper for you. What did you ever do with the one that was hanging at your old home?
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cindy! I’m so glad to hear you enjoy these smaller items. They are fun for me too! And ha ha…WWCD…I love it! I do love that pony also, and you have a great memory! I still have that one, but have yet to hang it anywhere here, and I had actually forgotten all about it! XOXO
Phyllis says
I love them all, but I would hope it was the horse, if not I want him!! 😉 I always look forward to Tuesday’s and Thursday’s to see what you have done. Until Thursday have a blessed one.
Christy says
Thank you, Phyllis!! I loved the horse too, but someone has already claimed him, I’m afraid. Thank you so much for following along with me!! See you tomorrow! XOXO
Mary says
Hi I love all the re-dos you’ve been completing! Would you ever sell the horse to one of your horse-less readers? And ship it to Virginia? And the horse-less reader would pay for all that? Oh please, oh please?! lol
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! I’m afraid the horse is already sold. In the future though, I don’t mind shipping smaller items. I’m in Virginia Beach! XOXO
Tina says
I don’t know how you can bare to part with any of it!! I love every single thing! That wooden picnic basket would look super cute with a pretty decoupage floral pattern inside or a buffalo check stencil with the white and sea glass. Now I wanna go thrifting!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Tina!! I often have a hard time saying goodbye lol! Love those ideas! XOXO
Robin says
So cute! You show everyone, don’t throw away or donate away items you used to love but don’t fit with new decore, just paint them. Thanks as always, for the inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! Absolutely! A little paint does wonders! XOXO
Lola Fields says
I think you kept the wire basket!
Christy says
Great guess!! XOXO
Debby says
Every single time I read your posts I’m so inspired! I love what you did with everything…you have such a gift for seeing possibility in all things. I’m thinking you kept either the rocking horse or the bookends. Can’t wait to find out what you did!
Christy says
Aww I love that, Debby! Thank you so much! Good guesses! XOXO
Heidy says
Hi Christy,
I’m going to guess the 2 that I would’ve picked…the rocking horse and the the bookends! The sweet rocking horse was just adorable all white. Somehow I overlook the detail on many things until they are painted white, not sure why but the same with the bookends. I didn’t like them at all before you turned them white and it just makes them perfect. I really like the clock a lot too. The wire basket, so cute. Everything just perfect!
Christy says
Paint can do wonders! Funny that so many picked the horse. I’ll reveal tomorrow what I picked…I ended up keeping two things I redid! Thank you!! XOXO
Phyllis says
Love the smalls. I would have kept all of them. I have no willpower. Thank you for sharing all your lovely pieces.
Christy says
Thank you, Phyllis! Your comment made me laugh out loud. It is really hard not to want to keep them all LOL! XOXO
Jewels says
Hi Christy, seeing this post makes me want to tackle the pile of smalls in my garage! I’m guessing you kept the bookends for staging photos.
Christy says
I love that you’re feeling motivated to tackle your own bunch of smalls! I do love the bookends! XOXO
Susan says
I’m guessing you kept the wire basket with the seashells. That turned out nice!
Christy says
Yes!! That was a keeper! XOXO
Mary L. Damboise says
Hi Christy, being a maniac from Maine and the ocean, i would think you kept the shell basket. I would have, just loved it. You do such a great job on anything you do though.
Christy says
Ha ha yes I did!! I too am a sucker for all things coastal! Thank you!! XOXO
Becky says
Fantastic, all of them! I really like all the baskets though! That wire one… the ugly duckling grew up, huh? 😊
Christy says
Thank you, Becky! You know I love a painted basket, but I was not expecting to love the wire one so much lol! XOXO
Carrie says
Keep doing the smalls! It’s probably my favorite part of your blog. You are so creative. My guess is the rocking horse. It looks like most of your readers are thinking the same. We must all be wishing that little guy to stay with you.
Christy says
Aww yay! I love them too, and I’ll have another round for you tomorrow! I did not keep the horse as I have one very similar already…I ended up keeping two things: the wire basket and the white basket. 🙂 XOXO
Joanie says
All beautiful! Where do you get your hydrangeas? So pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Joanie! I found those at JoAnn Fabrics last year just before everything shut down. Aren’t they so realistic? XOXO