Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

My Favorite Repurposing Project

Good Day Ladies, and Happy White Wednesday (a day early!).
I often try and participate in White Wednesday over at Faded Charm, and today I just couldn't think of anything!  So, I thought I would share with you one of my very favorite repurposing projects. It actually was the subject of my very first blog post back in April, but I am sure that it's new to you!  I just took all of these photos today, so I am not totally cheating by writing about it again :)!

Anyway, last winter my mom gave me an old clock that had belonged to my parents.  It stopped working long ago, and she had just been storing it away.  Since it wasn't a valuable antique or anything, she thought I'd like it for a possible craft project.  Well, the wheels began churning as I thought of all the possibilities!  At first I thought I'd make a little curio cabinet out of it, and then it hit me!  I desperately needed a place to store and organize my necklaces and bracelets.  I had been stashing them in an assortment of boxes, and they had become a totally tangled jumbled mess!  It was always so frustrating trying to find anything, let alone untangle the mess!


So, this is what I came up with!

This is the clock "before".  Unfortunately, I created this BB (before blogging!), so I don't have any "during" photos.  Luckily I thought to take this shot before the transformation though!I began by removing all of the internal clock parts (which I saved for future crafting possibilities, because you never know when a brainstorm will strike!!).  I then lightly sanded so that the primer and paint would adhere better.  I taped off all of the glass areas in the door, then primed and painted it a soft cream, inside and out.  I sure wish that I had painted this in warm weather so I could have spray painted it!  It turned out to be much more tedious to paint by hand than I had thought!  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I added two pretty wooden appliques to the top and bottom of the clock cabinet.  If you have been following me for awhile, you know how much I love working with these appliques!
They really seem to give any piece instant character, don't you think?  I just applied them with a bit of epoxy.
I then used fine grit sand paper along the edges to age it up a bit.
You've probably seen me use this toile fabric before.  Love it!  I just cut two pieces of cardboard to fit inside the door and wrapped them with the toile, using spray adhesive.
To give a bit neater look on the inside, I hot glued some pretty braided trim.
Then I added a bunch of little cup hooks so that I could neatly hang my necklaces and bracelets!  No more tangles!  What a concept :)
I almost forgot to show you the knob! (the old clock didn't have one)  I had salvaged it from something a long time ago, and had it in my craft supplies stash.  I really love the swirly design!
Here's one last look!  The only thing I had to purchase for this project were the cup hooks, braided trim, and wooden appliques.  I already had all of the other materials on hand.  How great is that?!  So now, it is actually a treat, rather than a frustration, to pick out what jewelry I am going to wear for the day!

I hope this project challenges you to look at cast offs in a new light, and to dream of the unique possibilities you can transform them into!

As a side note, I want to say a big thank you for all of the wonderful anniversary wishes! You truly helped make our day even more special!!
I am linking up with the following fun parties:
Debbie Doos Before & After
504 Main Tickled Pink Party
My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday
Funky Junk Interiors SNS Party

27 comments:

Christine said...

Wow! I totally love this project, you are amazing. Your mom just knew that you would make this beautiful and functional. Stunning!

NanaDiana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NanaDiana said...

Okay--well that was weird...I am trying this again! I LOVE the cabinet. Great job and I like the toile inserts...perfect match for the perfect piece. Diana

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a great idea to repurpose that old clock! Came out really cute.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, this is gorgeous!!! I love blue and white toile...so beautiful and perfect for your amazing idea...love, Cindy
P.S. I hope your husband is improving quickly!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is such a great project, Donna! Totally pretty and so useful, too! I wouldn't have thought of doing something like this~ thanks for sharing!

Sandi said...

Hi Donna,
Nice work and great idea for remaking an old clock!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog too. I am planning on getting the porch posts and hopefully some doors/windows at my grandparents house. Then I have to figure out what I want to make out of them. :) That is always fun!!
Blessings~

mizdarlin said...

I think it's a great re-do! and more toile at any time can't hurt, in my book...

Debbiedoos said...

That is awesome! You really thought outside the box on this one Donna, and I love the end result....cute cute cute! Thanks for joining in. Debbie

xinex said...

Wow, what a great idea and it looks so pretty and functional!...Christine

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

What a great project!! You did awesome!!!

Kaybe said...

Simply gorgeous. What a great idea.

Unknown said...

Great idea! It looks so pretty, too!!!

Tete said...

This is the best idea I have seen in awhile.
Tete

Leo said...

Love this Donna. The fabric is beautiful. And this was a very clever use of an old clock!!!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Very clever and original! How beautiful it turned out--you must really enjoy using it.

MJ said...

This is a great idea. I have done this with a small medicine cabinet for my daughters jewelry but never wouldve thought of this. Well done, very unique!

kim said...

Wonderful project!! I need inspiration to take control of my jewelry stash!! Thanks for sharing such a unique project.

Biljana said...

Wow! It looks so beautiful, bravo:))
I am your newest follower, come to visit my blog.
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Virginia said...

Great idea, you did a beautiful job.
Blessings,
Virginia

Anonymous said...

Donna, you are incredibly creative. What a wonderful place to hang you necklaces. Just lovely!

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Great idea! It turned out beautiful. Now you can keep it in the family and get some use out of it as well.
Annette

Anonymous said...

beautiful work, blog...!
Big kisses from Croatia.
Nice weekend.
Zondra Art

awal.ny said...

I love what white paint can do to a piece. What a great idea to turn it into a necklace holder, very creative.

My Dream Canvas said...

This is beautiful. I am hosting a 50 dollar CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by.Thanks Anu!

Holly Lefevre said...

This is AMAZING. LOVE it!!!!!!

Unknown said...

This is such a great idea! I love repurposing old things and this one is a treasure! ~ Regards, Sheilla