Fabric Framed and Jewelry Tamed

Today’s the big day!! Can you believe that this is the FIFTH #SwapItLikeItsHot?! Hopefully you’ve been enjoying the makeovers all week because there are over over 35 bloggers getting in on this thrift store action! Howdy ho neighbors to those of you coming over from my pal, Danielle at Finding Silver Pennies. (Sidenote: why does everything she posts look so cozy and relaxing and CHIC?!) To recap the schtick of this… we all go out to the thrift store and spend $10 or less. We MAIL what we find to another blogger who gets the privilege of reimagining and repurposing whatever they get! (See previous ones here, here, here, and here!)

Danielle sent me two things: an amazing hand sewn tapestry and a brass candlestick

Let’s start with the embroidery. It’s so SO pretty. Vibrant colors, fun design, whimsy… generally my total cup of tea. But that’s not the deal here… the deal is MAKEOVERS, people. So how does one makeover something that’s already pretty great? I considered making it into a pillow, but it was pretty sure the kids would pull the people off somehow. Then I considered making a bench or a tray and having that under glass as the top, but… that sounded expensive. So I opted for free. (Affiliate link included for your shopping convenience.)

 

DIY SHADOW BOX

Materials

• 1×2 pine boards
• L bracket
• wood glue
• painters drop cloth
• Staple gun with 3/8″ staples

Step 1. Cut Wood and Build Frame

I used my miter saw to cut 4 mitered corners and then clamped them together with some wood glue. When the glue had dried, I flipped the frame over and secured the corners with the L brackets.

Step 2. Staple Drop Cloth

Just as you would a painter’s canvas, stretch the drop cloth across the bottom edge of the frame. Be careful to pull tight and alternate from side to side and from top to bottom.

Step 3. Attach the fabric

I just used sewing pins to hold the embroidered square onto the canvas and they work great!

It’s hanging at the foot of the stairs between the family room and the mudroom and I love it! Such a bright cheery pop of color right there.

MAKE YOUR OWN JEWELRY DISH

Materials

• Candlestick base
• saucer
• e6000 glue
• paint pen
• bead/ Sculpey

Step 1: Glue

For the candlestick… I grabbed a white saucer at Homegoods from the Clearance section for a whopping $1. The base of the candlestick actually unscrewed so this is what I glued onto the saucer with E6000 glue.

Step 2: Decorate

Once the glue had set overnight, I went back and added some fun design with a paint pen.  To cover the threads from the candlestick, I added a small bead made from Sculpey.

What do you think? What would YOU have done with these two items? I love hearing about upcycling ideas!

For MORE #SwapItLikeItsHot deliciousness, see what the incomparible Jen from House of Wood made with the goodies I sent along to her! She’s basically like Rumplestiltskin for wood… she works MAGIC over there!

Here are the rest of the ladies sharing their makeovers today. Head over and give them some love!

Two Thirty-Five Designs / Finding Silver Pennies / At Charlotte’s House (me!)
The House of Wood / Decor Adventures / Bright Green Door

And don’t forget to go back and see what was shared Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. And then COME BACK TOMORROW!

MONDAY

Hearts & Sharts / 58 Water Street / I Am a Homemaker
Prim and Propah / Create & Babble / Windgate Lane
Gourley Girl and Guy / Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza

TUESDAY

Confetti Style / Blue i Style / Polished Habitat
Two Purple Couches / Run to Radiance / Restoration Redoux
Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer / Our Southern Home

WEDNESDAY

DIY on the Cheap / Prodigal Pieces / That’s My Letter
Southern State of Mind / Roadkill Rescue / Always Never Done / Year of Serendipity / Casa Watkins