Thrift Store Throwdown: Challenge Accepted!

Hello!  It's good to be back after a little short break for me.  I hope you all enjoyed a post from Cally on Friday!  She definitely got me thinking about planning my next vacation and heading up to the coast of Maine!  Didn't that just sound fantastic?  I was gone for a few days celebrating my husband's birthday with a couples weekend trip to Put In Bay.  If you haven't heard of Put it Bay, it's an island in Lake Erie which is known for live music, restaurants, and outdoor activities.  They also happened to be celebrating Christmas in July, so it was a festive and fun weekend all around.

Today, we are picking up with our Thrift Store Throwdown Challenge!  I am excited to show you the results of my thrift store box.  Looking back, this was the box of items I received. I also introduced you to the talented, Salvage Sister and Mister duo that sent me these “goodies.”  You can catch up here.

I was thrilled when I received my box to see that I had a variety of items to choose from.  It was not required to use every item for our challenge and I did not.  What I did use, I think you'll like, though!  Should we see?

#1 Wood Challis

I saw potential in this item right away!  It was the perfect size to hold lots of little treasures, so I just had to look around and see what was needed.  In our entryway, I have an antique chest from my grandparents.  I use it for purse storage amongst other things.  You can see more about that organizational project here.  Though it's organized on the inside, the top often is a gathering spot for random things including sunglasses.  I decided to paint the wooden challis and make it a sunglasses holder.  It's the perfect depth and holds 3 pairs comfortably.  I love how it turned out with white chalk paint and a #5 stenciled on it.  I often choose the #5 in our decor because we're a family of five.  After paint and stenciling, I distressed it to give it an aged look and it was a chic and stylish place to stash those glasses.

#2 Wooden Paddle

Since I was going with a chalk paint, number, and stencil theme, I went ahead and did the same technique to the paddle I received.  After distressing it, I added a leather cording tied in a knot on the top.  I have a whole basket of cutting boards I display on my counter top and this one fits right in with those (as decoration only).

#3 Embroidery Hoop

For this item, I decided to use it to make an art piece.  Using felt I had left over from this project, I made felt flowers in a variety of circle sizes, cut the edges using pinking shears, and glued them alongside felt leaves.  I then hand stitched buttons to the centers of each flower to complete the look.

I was really wanting to do something super creative with the duck box but decided not too.  I did a little research and found out that it actually is a nut cracker!  You lift the handle and as you bring it down, it cracks the shell.  I saw some being sold on eBay and wasn't sure I should mess with it since it has a slight value.  One idea I received from a fellow blogger friend was to make it into a rolling children's toy by adding wheels on it and a string.  Darling idea, so I may just do that when I find the right time to make a gift for someone's child.

Are you ready to see what my fellow blogging buddies did with their items?  I know I am!

My Life From Home

Farmhouse 40

Refurbish 360 Blog

All Things New Again

Sweet Pea

Dukes and Dutchesses

Paint Yourself a Smile

Lovely Etc

Shepherds and Chardonnay

3 Little Greenwoods

One Mile Home Style

One More Time Events

Rachel Teodoro

Salvage Sister & Mister

Shop Blu

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To life feeling like home!

XO,