A Beautiful Basket Case-Upcycling Thrift Store Baskets

To keep up with more ideas for the holidays, I found this thrift store basket that is uniquely shaped. Perfect for a catch all for yarn, toys or even magazines. So why not spruce it up for that special someone?

It was a great basket, large enough to use for many purposes, although somewhat drab. With the colder weather coming on I wanted to add a little outdoor flavor to bring the outside, inside.

And even better was the price, another .09 find!

I first took white latex paint and dry brushed the outside. By dry brushing you only want to put a little paint on your brush and then spread it as far as you can. The purpose is for the paint to not cover your project completely. This gives a weathered look to your piece.

Next I taped off the bamboo pieces and covered the bottom. I spray painted the top and handles with black spray paint and let dry. Then recoated with a second coat.

After everything is dry, remove your tape and then apply a wood conditioner or another secret soy sauce to enhance the old bamboo.

I wanted to bring a little bit of the outdoors, indoors. I found some leaves (which are readily available right not lol) and sprayed adhesive in a can on them and placed them on the outside of the basket. Then took Mod Podge and applied several coats to seal them so they look the same over time.

• Thrift Store Basket                  $.09
• Mod Podge (on hand)               $.00

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• TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT      $.09

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Primitive Wreath Made from old Maps

The primitive look is quite the rage for many crafters as well as home decorators. It is not just a fad, its a way of life. It is a decorating style that is simplistic, giving a feeling of warmth to a home. I love it because, it is a way to come in from the world into your own private space that quietly whispers a "welcome home" and tranquility to it.

One of my favorite things is old maps, atlases and globes. I always snatch them up when I'm thrift shopping. Since I had so many on hand, I thought I would make a wreath from them.

I got this wreath for .69

Removed the flowers

I then took an old book filled with maps I got for .25 and cut the maps into leaf shapes.

Then measured them out by laying them around the wreath. These leaves I wanted to fit the contour of the wreath itself. I then took the map leaves and soaked them in coffee to give more of a vintage look. Then laid them on the wreath to dry and fit to the contour of the wreath.

For the map leaves that would be stemming from the wreath, I also soaked them in the 

coffee mixture. Then laid them out in an egg carton to allow them to dry to a wrinkled look.

After they were dry, I alternated them with the ones I allowed to dry on the wreath and hot glued them.

I then added ribbon to the wreath. This one I made a rose out of the 

ribbon and hot glued it to the wreath to stay in place. If you need 

help on making a ribbon rose Factory Direct Craft has a good illustration.

• wreath                    $  .49

• ribbon                     $1.97

• Old Atlas Book         $ .25

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Total Of Today's Project   $2. 71

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Remodeling The Den

Today I started in the Den, It is the darkest room in the house, having one entire end of the room with a built in cabinet. Nothing but paneling in the house. Paneling has to be the biggest mistake of the 1960's. Something that was once popular will, if given enough time, almost always circles back into popularity again. I'm not talking about full length solid wood paneling, that is a different story. But the veneer paneling... that should have stayed gone. Instead it has found its way back to becoming popular. I am going to pass up that train and go with something else.

As you can see my camera can't even take a good picture because of the darkness of the room.

And to make things worse...the same green paint theme continued from the kitchen.

So my first project is to paint the built in. I wanted to start there because even though its causing a lot of darkness, it still is a focal point in the room.

I used the dark paneling in a positive way by painting my new color over it and allowing the dark brown to show through. Taking a dry brush and wiping back off the wet paint to make it look distressed.  

I wanted the built in to look more like a piece of furniture than just a built in. 

You can already see how much it brightened up.

I then changed the hardware to some vintage pieces.

Then painted the remaining walls a light beige to compliment

Added Thrift Store Valance $2.00

And painted the trim white.

• Paint (dent sale)                             $5.00

• Paint for built in  (mismatched)        $5.00

• Thrift Store Valance                       $2.00

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Total Of Today's Project                         $12.00

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Kitchen Remodeling Project Day 2 by Junkin4Humanity

Kitchen Remodeling Project Day 2

Tonight I want to finish up our kitchen project. Yesterday we got the wallpaper hung. Although, I never thought I would ever hang wallpaper again. Today I started painting the walls a lighter color over top of the light green walls. Don't get me wrong, I love the color of green, but this color had to been given to the person who painted this room. No one would have bought this on purpose, mismatched paint or not. I went with a white with beige undertones on the wall and it's amazing how much it brightened the room. 

On the other wall I needed to take care of the 2 holes that were hidden behind a unsightly curtain and paint the wall as well. I opted for a contrasting color above the uppers that complimented the wallpaper.

As far as the holes, I decided to go with a handmade creation. I found 2 mirrors (.99) in my "shed stash" along with some silver forks (bag for $1.00) I had. I flattened the forks out and bent the tines and hot glued them to the glass.

I then took a board that originally came from a dresser drawer bottom (donated). It was an antique newspaper that had been pressed onto the board years ago. I then placed the mirrors on top, measured my wall openings and cut to fit.

The plaques were hung over the holes and I also added chicken wire and a chalkboard sign (leftover from previous projects). I love to be able to change the bible verses their each day. It also helps us to learn them as well.

On this wall I took a old rod iron plate holder ($2.50) and painted it to go with my "metalware" look. I love all the old tins and brasses.

The curtain ($2.00) I searched high and low for at the thrift stores. I needed something with the colors of all the metalware that I had. This was the closest thing I could find but unfortunately was a panel, not a valance. I hate to sew so I took burlap (roll $3.00) and drew them up to make it more aesthetic. Then hot glued old vintage hardware (shed stash)  to the burlap.

Before and After's

.99 cent Thrift Store Canoe Picture

Miscellaneous Metalware (.49-2.00)

Starting on the Den Tomorrow's Blog!

• 2 mirrors                                                         $  .99
• silver forks (bag for $1.00)                           $1.00

• dresser drawer bottom (donated)                $  .00

•  chalkboard sign (leftover from projects)     $  .00

• old rod iron plate holder                                $2.50

• burlap (roll)                                                     $3.00

• Thrift Store Canoe Picture                           $ .99

• Miscellaneous Metalware (.49-2.00)          $6.00

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• TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT              $14.48

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Wood and Rod Iron Coffee Table Upcycle

My furniture is always changing. I find my ugly duckling furniture pieces and drag them home a couple of times a week. But normally I fix them up and sell them after my project. As I went on my daily trip to the thrift stores today I came across this table which didn't need much done to it and I LOVED for myself!  Even though it was more than I ever pay for a table I decided to buy it for my sun porch.

As you can see it has wonderful simple design, but what I didn't like is the dark wood that was on the finish. I wanted something with a lighter colored look.

I sanded off the old varnish making sure to go along the grain. I then added a maple stain but kept the darker sides for depth and within a half an hour, I have a new table.

• table (thrift store)                 $10.00

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT   $10.00

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Dressed Up Dresser Upcycling Thrift Store Furniture

Nothing is more fun than fixing up an underdog, they are always my favorite. Finding that ugly piece of furniture is like that sad faced overlooked puppy at the pet store. It may be ugly, but underneath is the same skin and bones.

I found this small dresser and it looked like it used to belong in a child's bedroom. Spiderman stickers, gum, and well...lets just stop there. I knew it needed saved and I was the one that would do it! Of course there was prettier dressers, even for a thrift store, but this dresser kept tugging at my "underdog heart strings".



First make sure that you remove all paint, stickers, gum etc. Especially the loose paint like this one had. It had spray paint over the base paint. I do believe spray paint has a purpose on base wood at times, but not visa versa. It just doesn't stick well over latex.

I even left some of the base paint on because it allows a "bleed" through with the top layer of paint after sanding. As you can see I even left the colors just the way they were as well.

After the sanding is complete. Choose your paint color. I am using some surplus mismatched mismatched-paint (basically mismatched paint from Lowe's I remixed with other mismatched paint). Since I have such a surplus and it doesn't like the cold weather that's headed our way I chose this color. So this way, I don't have to drag as many paint buckets back into the house over winter.

Then to add interest and more "bleeding"  I poured a small amount of a darker blue into the paint WITHOUT mixing. Jut leave it in a swirl pattern. When ready to paint dip your brush straight up and down into the paint to keep the swirled paint on your brush just like it is. Then apply to your project thin coats at a time allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.

While waiting on the paint to dry, this gives you time to take care of the hardware that was on your project. The knobs I had were white and I opted for a nickel color instead. So I spray painted these with a can of Dupont Spray paint in nickel.

After all paint has been applied to your taste, then take a sander with small grit sandpaper and just add your distressing to it. If you are not into the "distressed" look, then leave as is. You now have a custom styled dresser you can proudly display. No one will ever believe it was that sad puppy in the store!

• Paint onhand                                    $.00
• dresser (thrift store)                          $.09
• included                                           $.00

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TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT     $.09

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Making it in Rough Economic Times with Thrift Store Finds

Thrift stores, they're so much more than inexpensive places to shop. They're treasure chests filled with the kind of unique items that can make you and your home look terrific for a fraction of the cost of regular stores.

 This blog is to give you a hand on what thrift stores can be for you and your wallet. I hear some people say there isn't anything they see in thrift stores that they need, they have an aversion to dirt, no patience, or just bad luck. Well maybe you aren't looking with the right frame of mind. The truth is that anyone can be a good thrifter if they keep an open mind. It's as simple as recognizing when an object needs a good cleaning, a coat of paint, or even just a new context.

 With today's economy hunting for an item that you need can be a family event. For example: shopping for a coffee table could be a form of entertainment with your family. Find a large box and by refinishing it or painting it, you have a coffee table that can be a work of art and a conversation piece and family time spent together. Not to mention the money you save and you end up with something that defines who you are, more than a coffee table that a manufacturer thinks is your style.

 Dishes: You can find mismatched dishes in a range of colors and patterns at any thrift shop. Use them to build a collection, hang a wall of plates, or make them into mirrors.

Artwork: If you're thinking of hanging a wall of clustered artwork, thrift shops are a great place to build a cheap, out-of-the-ordinary collection.

Shelves and Secretaries: Storage pieces are always useful around the house. Clean up shelves with paint or wallpaper. Although old-fashioned, secretaries are really useful pieces that can easily transform into a home office, bar, or linen closet.

Sweaters and Blankets: Have these dry-cleaned, and then use them to add some coziness to your home by reupholstering it or covering a footstool.

Trunks, Suitcases, and File Cabinets: Industrial trunks and storage pieces or vintage suitcases are easy to find at flea markets and thrift shops. Clean them up and use them as occasional tables.

Dining Chairs: Whether you're looking for a whole set or a single side chair, dining chairs are always waiting to be scooped up at second-hand shops. If your chair needs a little love, try painting it, reupholstering a seat, or staining it.

Dining Tables: Simple thrift store tables can be used for kitchens, dining rooms, or repurposed as a desk. If the table is scuffed or needs some DIY love, try restyling it with paint, fabric, or even just a tablecloth.

Lamps: Sometimes all a lamp needs is a new shade and a good cleaning to make it brand new. If you find a broken lamp at a thrift store, you can always try rewiring it.

Rocking Chairs: Rockers are great for a child's room, a porch, or even a corner that needs a big piece. If your chair is a little dull, try painting it.

Fabric: If you've got basic sewing skills, thrift stores are the perfect place to look for fabric scraps to use for pillows, napkins, tablecloths, curtains, and any other project that could use a stash of mismatched prints. Just make sure to wash your fabrics before using them.

Tip- Abandon any preconceptions you might have about thrift stores. Today's thrift stores aren't unclean low-end shops. Thrift stores vary by chain and by store. But while many people may think of them as being scary places of questionable quality and safety, many stores are bright, clean and extremely professional. 

Here are some popular misconceptions I've heard:
"Thrift stores are only for people of low income": Not true! Thrift stores are for anyone who is willing to look for a bargain.

 "Pre-used things are not sanitary-- I only buy new.": Most thrift store items are easily cleaned. And think of it this way-- when you go to a restaurant or a hotel, you are eating off dishes and cloth napkins, and sleeping on sheets, with likely more people pre-using them than you ever would at a thrift store. So shed any fears about thrifting and go for it!

By shopping often, you have a better chance of finding the items everyone snaps up right away, as well as, parts to sets of things, like specific china patterns, collectibles, etc.

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• TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT      Priceless!

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