I had planned to follow up that project by making a Pride flag. But, I never got back to the barn metal. Today is the day!

Well, if we are upcyling some old barn metal into something fabulous, must be that it is…

Be sure to check out the team posts at the end of this one!

Using Antique Barn Metal

This antique metal came from my friend, Gina’s old barn that she and her husband tore down. Gina’s grandad had built this barn. When she tore it down, she asked if anyone wanted some of the barn metal for projects. You know I jumped in my van and drove to Tennessee.

Here is the previous tutorial on how I cleaned, prepped, cut and painted the barn metal. As always, use the proper tools for the projects.

Safety gloves are a must to protect your skin from the sharp metal.

I followed the same process with this barn metal pride flag. I did have to trim the one edge to square up the metal.

Don’t worry. I did take my own advise and stopped at this point to grab my gloves. You can’t be too careful when handling sharp metal.

After the trim, I sanded the edges just to make sure I would not cut myself. I used a high grit (low number) sandpaper that was very coarse. This worked perfectly. After sanding, I cleaned the barn metal to remove all of the dust. TSP is my go to for prepping pieces for paint.

Design your Pride Flag

If Pride isn’t your thing, you can use these same techniques to make any other flag…family colors, school pride, etc.

Once I wiped down the metal with some TSP, she was ready for paint. I selected some vivid colors and grabbed the Frog Tape. And started to design and measure.

Next step was to mask off the lined for the flag pattern. I needed 6 broad stripes.

The tops of the stripes would be covered by a “V” comprised of a series of 4 other colors. So, I measured and used Frog Tape to mask off the six wide stripes.

Burnish the edges of your painter’s tape to ensure a good seal that prevents the paint from seeping under the tape resulting in non-crisp painted lines.

I taped off every other stripe. Then I painted those and allowed them to dry. I reset the tape to complete the last 3 stripes.

Be sure to allow the paint to dry somewhat before moving your tape.

I am an impatient creator. So while the bottom of the pride flag was drying, I was taping off the top.

I alternated between stripes. While one section was drying, I was starting another section.

Of course, I did have some paint seep under the tape edges so I did have to allow those areas to dry.

To minimize seepage, don’t overload your brush. And, dab the paint along the tape edges instead of brushing. This adds the paint more slowly. Thicker applications of paint tend to seep under the tape lines. Thinner applications tend to stay where they are applies. I went back and touched up those leaked lines once the paint was completely dry. If you use a thin flat brush, it is super easy to touch up. Here is the brush I used for touch up. Like applying the paint to the tape lines, I dabbed in from the side instead of using a brushing stroke. Use the flat tip of the brush to tap the line into place.

I just went from color to color making any necessary touch ups. And, before I knew it, she was ready!

I sealed her with my go to sealer Crab Coat by Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint. This fabulous sealer ensures that the metal will be protected from the harsh Alabama sun and heat.

Here is an antique metal ice box that I keep outside. She is well protected with Crab Coat!

I’m not sure where to put my beautifully colored Pride flag. Right now, we are in the process of re-staining our deck. So excuse the clutter behind the flag.

But I really do like her beneath that fern for now.

Are you doing anything special for Pride month? Birmingham always has a great variety of activities and events. What’s going on in your neighborhood?

My Repurposed Life – Little Girl Statue Makeover

Petticoat Junktion – Repurpose A Mirrored Vanity Tray

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia – DIY Macrame Propagation Station

Shop at Blu – Barn Metal Pride Flag

The post Barn Metal Pride Flag appeared first on Shop at Blu.

As always, if we are renewing, repurposing, reusing, or upcycling you know it is time for the Thrift Store Decor Team monthly projects. I am excited to see some spring projects this month. Be sure to check out the team projects that are each linked at the end of this post.

Step one, I gathered my supplies:

• Craft paint in vibrant colors
• White paint for base coat
• Various paint brushes
• cup of water (to rinse brushes0
• paper towels (for drying brushes and blotting paint when I make mistakes ’cause there will be mistakes)

PAINT!

I started with the easiest flower to refresh…the daisy. I traced the edges of the petals with some bright pink. I just continued around the flower until I had highlighted every petal.

Then, I filled in the lighter areas with a paler color to add freshen those areas. I went back with a few darker swipes of paint to mimic shading.

Next up was the roses. Same process…add color on the edges, refresh the centers, add shading.

I worked my way through the types of flowers and moved onto the leaves and stems, highlighting and adding dabs of vibrant colors.

LETTERING

The last part was the lettering. I selected a bright violet red, a bright purple color.

***And here is where I will pause and say…USE THE RIGHT TOOLS! I was rushing so I grabbed a few paintbrushes that were handy.

Midway through the lettering touch up process, I realized that better brushes suited for lettering were needed. Did I stop and rummage through the supply closet to find them? NO! Consequently, the lettering was a mess. The lines were too thick. They were not crisp and sharp. So I had to wait for the paint to dry to fix the mess.

The good thing about paint is that it is always easy to fix. My patience, or should I say my impatience…not so much. Take your time! Use the right tools! Reduce your frustration level! Do it right the first time. (The project is finished, sort of, but I will still need to touch up the lettering a bit when my temperament is better). LOL.

Slow and steady wins the race! Even veteran creators make mistakes and have to pay the consequences of rushing a project! So give me a few days…and check back for the “really finished” lettering.

Ok, enough side notes…back to the project.

Load your brush and simply follow the lines. There are brushes for lettering and I would highly suggest investing in a few. Some have very flat bristles that will ensure crisp straight edges on your letters. Some are skinny long that allow you to follow the curves of a letter. PRACTICE! The more comfortable you are with the process, the easier it will be. PRACTICE!

Another reason to practice? Dark purples and red paints tend to stain a white canvas. Such is difficult to wipe away and just as difficult to cover. So, if you make a mistake, allow the paint to dry completely and cover the mistake several times. Several times means apply the white over the purple mistake and allow the paint to dry. Only when the paint is completely dry should you repeat this process as many times as needed.

When the paint has dried, use a smaller brush to fill in the letters. I would also suggest tracing out the lines where you want them and slowly fill them in with small strokes to avoid more mistakes.

Good lettering takes lots of practice. So, don’t get discouraged. The answer is PRACTICE.

FILLING IN SPACE

When you are touching up an existing piece of art, it’s really a game of color matching. If I can’t match a color, I get as close as I can and I try to blend. In the photo above, I used a light grey wash and covered the entire canvas OVER the design. This brought coherency to the project. And a little white wash freshens everything.

FINALLY

So here is the final project with the disclaimer that I will go back and touch up those letters a little bit more. Sometimes you just have to walk away for a minute and then resume.

I hope you enjoyed my not so perfect project! Every now and then, the project doesn’t go as planned and you have to pause and regroup and sometimes step away. And that’s okay!

Bundt Pan Bird Feeder My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Upcycle Thrift Store Art Shop At Blu –YOU ARE HERE!

Two Ways to Update Thrift Store Art Our Southern Home

Repurposing A Damaged Stoneware Crock House Of Hawthornes

Small Country Shelf Makeover  My Repurposed Life

Diy Easter Display Petticoat Junktion

The post Upcycle Thrift Store Art appeared first on Shop at Blu.

If you are a regular visitor here, I know what you are thinking. And you are right! It’s time for:

If you are new to Blu or the TSDT, we are a group of 7 creative bloggers who focus on the upcycle, repurpose, and reuse of older or previously used items. At the end of this post, you will find all of the other team projects. We share our posts on the second Wednesday of the month. This is our first post of the NEW YEAR! What new skills will we share this year?? Tools, products, DIY skills and fabulous tips are just a few of our favorites. We hope to see you as a regular visitor. Sign up for an email reminder when new posts are shared. See the signup at the top right sidebar of this page! We would absolutely be thrilled for you to follow our projects! Let’s get to our kitchen utensil decor project!

Inspiration

Shout out to my friend, Daphne for passing these pot lids along.

Daphne has a beautiful lake house where all of her older kitchen utensils retire and bring joy to the family and to friends…like Mr. Blu and me! At the end of every trip to the lake, Daphne grabs items that are no longer needed or, in this case, mismatched. So, I brought them home but, alas, could find no matches. Rather than donate to the endless pot lid shelf at the thrift store, I opted to repurpose them. So here we go! You never know where you will find your inspiration. But the lake really is the perfect place!

Mia say let’s go!

Build a Snowman

Amazingly, the three pot lids are a perfect combination in size to create a snowman! I needed something to mount them on so I headed to the garage where I have a wood pile with a variety of excess wood from previous projects.

I narrowed the selection down to these two:

Always check the front, back, and sides when you are selecting wood. Sometimes there will be a surprise on the back that can eliminate a choice. Like too many knots or rot or oil stains. And sometime you will find a good surprise like unexpected texture or fabulous woodgrain. Such is the joy of wood!

The lighter piece measured 18″ x 27″. It’s always a great idea to dry fit your items before proceeding…to help visualize the finished product, if you will. I set the lids on the lighter wood.

They fit did fit. But I would not be able to put a hat on my snowman. So I tried the longer piece.

The darker piece of wood measured 13″ x 40″. I could fit the snowman and there was plenty of room for a hat. There was extra room above for additional embellishments like a catchy winter phrase or maybe some snowflakes. I will decide later. But this piece of wood was a better fit for the project. I decided to leave the wood as is for a rustic look.

Clean Your Project Pieces

Yes, this is the real first action step whenever I am using wood or re-creating from used objects. Give the components a nice bath with warm soapy water.

Who knows where the items to be rehomed have been? I really mean the wood because the lids were at Daphne’s home. But when you grab an items from a thrift store, flea mall, or even curbside, a good cleaning is always a must. Even the wood from my own garage needed a wipe down. Dust, dirt, and the occasional critter are always a possibility regardless of how clean you maintain your storage area. The chipmunks in our yard are fast little buggers and have been known to seek refuge from the Alabama heat and storms. I gave the lids a cleaning too. I figured why not?

Allow the pieces to dry completely. I just allowed them to air dry by the sink.

Assemble Your Snowman

I laid the lids down to create my snowman. You can lay them straight or off centered for a whimsical look.

Use a sharpie to outline each lid. I wanted us use E-6000 which is a great craft adhesive that dries clear. But, I could not find it in my garage so I grabbed some Liquid Nails instead. Follow the sharpie line and squeeze out your adhesive. If you have outdoor adhesive already on hand, that will work too. Use what you have.

Lay the lid onto the adhesive. Outline the next lid, apply the adhesive, and set the lid into place. Complete these steps again for the third lid. Allow the adhesive to dry. You are ready to dress your snowman.

Embellishments

As I said, I wanted a hat for my snowman. So I grabbed some plaid fabric I had on hand from another project.

Years before I started blogging, I would create primitive decor.

This snowman angel is one of my all time favorites. I made a snowman version with a simple primitive hat was super easy so I decided to follow that design.

I cut out the hat. Just a rough shape will do. And then I rolled some fabric to make a droopy brim. This also give the snowman some more dimension. Lastly, I cut a few strips for a scarf for my snowman’s neck. It’s chilly on the front stoop this week! It’s been 28 degrees the last two mornings!

Next I laid out the pieces where I wanted them and then I used hot glue to attach the hat to the wooden background.

I started with the hat and worked my way down the front of the snowman gluing the hat pieces and then the scarf pieces to the wood.

Continue until you have glued all down of the hat and scarf pieces.

The pot handle in the center of my snowman’s face made for a cute nose. So I just grabbed a black sharpie and drew on some eyes and a mouth. You could also use some black craft paint.

Final Touches

I was putting away my Christmas decor at the time of this project so I kept out a few snowflakes and glued them around my snowman.

I think he turned out great. This was a quick project that did not cost me one penny thanks to Daphne and a garage full of old wood and craft supplies.

What have YOU ever made out of kitchen utensils or gadgets? I’d love to see!

Here is my after Christmas outdoor entryway.

I moved Frosty to storage and added my new kitchen utensil decor snowman.

It’s so cold this week here in Alabama that I could not resist adding my childhood Yankee Clipper sled and Pop’s ice skate. Great memories sitting right here in this corner!

Yikes! I need a winter doormat! Headed out to get one!

Vintage Oak Cane Chair Makeover-My Repurposed Life

How to Style a Glass Cloche– My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Paint A Bamboo Tray -Petticoat Junktion

Kitchen Utensil Decor– Shop at Blu

Using Restor-a-Finish on Thrifted Finds– Our Southern Home

The post Kitchen Utensil Decor – Build a Snowman appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Sarah – SADIE SEASONGOODS

I am starting with the literal queen of repurposing. Sarah has the keenest eye for repurposing thrift store finds. One glance at her blog and you will be amazed at how she visualizes and nails a transformation. With a mid century modern flair, Sarah reinvents new purpose for simple old things. Look at this paper towel holder. Am I right? Be sure to browse her upcycle and DIY projects…and yes, you are welcome!

Gail – MY REPURPOSED LIFE

While Sarah may be the queen of transformations, let’s call Gail Ms. Fixit. In every DIY project where she upcycles a piece of furniture or accessory, you will find a lesson in how to repair, resurface, or stabilize an item. In the midst of the how to lesson, you will be introduced to some fabulous paints and DIY products. If you find a fabulous items with great bones but some small issues, scour Gail’s pages and you will find the quickest solution and a guide to the tools you need.

Christy – OUR SOUTHERN HOME

If you are looking to upgrade your decor, Christy is your girl. She will walk you through the process of creating Pottery Barn style decor from your everyday thrift store finds. Spray paint truly is a girl’s best friend. Take a stroll through Christy’s beautiful home. You will be amazed by the thrift store projects sprinkled through out the beautiful rooms. Take these lovely Christmas village houses as an example. You will find Christy’s detailed DIY project tutorials easy to follow. And the end product…so rewarding!

Kathy – PETTICOAT JUNKTION

Kathy’s projects are always very simple but stately! She has a knack for quick projects that simply light up a corner. Take this project with thrift store vases…such an easy way to make a big statement anywhere in your home. With a little bit of spray paint, some painter’s tape, and thrift store vases, you are all set! From the front porch, to the guest bathroom, to the living room, Kathy’s upcycles are practical, useful, and beautiful!

Pam – HOUSE OF HAWTHORNES

Pam always hits a home run with her repurposed items. With a pension for vintage and an eye for practical use, you never know what she is working on but you always know Pam will find a creative new way to display her vintage beauties. In this project, she pairs two of my favorites…vintage kitchen items and succulents! Check out Pam’s projects for new ways to cherish your vintage finds.

Kristin – MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA

You tell from Kristin’s succulent, garden, beach themed, and garden projects that she is a West Coast girl! Her projects always leave me longing for sunny weather and outdoor beauty. While many of her projects are perfect for your patio or outdoor rooms, Kristin has completed some fabulous DIY projects in her home. From painting, to room renno to easy tips to get things done, you will find a fabulous mix of DIY and beautiful decor on Kristin’s pages. My favorites, of course, are her succulent projects and her fabulously thrifty decor upcycles.

Enjoy reading through the projects we have gathered for you! I can’t wait to see that new skills, tips, tricks, and always fabulous upcycles the new year will bring for us all!

Enjoy! And Merry Christmas!!

Here are links to the last 2 year’s “Best Of” projects:

The post Thrift Store Decor Team Best DIY Projects of 2024 appeared first on Shop at Blu.

What better time to create decor that can be used anywhere in your home??!!! It’s Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday!! If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! On the second Wednesday of every month, my incredibly creative and talents friends and I each post a project that is a thrifty upcycle, or a decor hack, or just a budget conscious decor idea. We love introducing you to new skills, tools, methods and products that we use in our thrifty decor oriented lives.

Check out all of the new posts from the team at the end of this post.

Vintage or New Wooden Crate

I started with these two wooden crates.

This is a vintage wooden oak crate that I’ve have for many years. I used it at Vintage Market Days and other antique shows when I used to do shows.

And this is a newer pin wooden crate that I bought from a vendor when I used to have my store, The Blue Building Antiques and Consignment.

I see wooden crates from time to time at the thrift store. They come in many sizes so you can adjust this project for size. Table top wooden crate pumpkins would be great! You can find them new in various sizes at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart!

Two Step Process to Upcycle a Wooden Crate

This really is a very simple and easy project. I’m almost embarrassed that it is so easy but every now and then we need a no brainer, super easy project. I basically painted each wooden crate with spray paint and glued on some embellishments. Easy peasy! My projects RARELY get any easier than this.

Supplies used for this Pumpkin themed wooden crate:

• Wooden crate(s) Walmart, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or thrift stores
• Rustoleum 2X spray paint, vary colors or paint them all the same
• Jute rope
• Dollar Tree florals (you can’t go wrong for $1.25 per bunch)
• Hot glue gun. I love my Ryobi

My go to spray paint is RustoIeum 2X, which has a fabulous selection of colors and finishes. I grabbed two cans of spray paint from the garage. I thought they were both shades of teal. But one had a teal cap and was actually white paint. So I went with a light teal and a white, ensuring a more neutral color palette. Just spray the wooden crates to your liking. As I like a more shabby rustic look, I only applied one coat.

I used the aqua on the oak wooden crate. Because it was older and a bit darker, it took 2 coats.

I used my Rust-Oleum Comfort Grip. This handy tool snaps onto the top of your spray can. The pistol grip trigger ensure paint free fingers and an even flow of paint. I sprayed 3 sides of the exterior and also the interior, allowed the paint to dry, flipped the wooden crate and sprayed the remaining sides.

Allow the paint to dry. Rust-Oleum 2X also dries very quickly. I think I waited just one hour and the paint was completely dry.

Decorate Your Wooden Crate

Next, select your embellishments for your crate. I wanted the crate to resemble a pumpkin so I grabbed a small branch from the yard. The circumference was about 1.5-2 inches. I used my Ryobi sliding miter saw to chop off a few pieces of the limb to use as my pumpkin stems.

You can glue the stem to the wooden crate before or after you add your other embellishments. I considered using raffia, burlap, bright ribbon, faux leaves, jute, and floral sprigs. You can go as simple or elaborate as you like. I went with simple.

First I glued two pieces of jute rope to each wooden crate. Then I added florals. Simply trim the wire stems and glue them into place.

Finally, I glued on my pumpkin stem. In retrospect, I probably should have glued the stem on first but I was excited about using the jute so I rushed. No harm though as the stems are secure.

Did you know that you can now buy pumpkin stems? I mean, why not!

I also considered drawing a jack-o-lantern eyes, nose and mouth to cut out and glue onto the backs of the wooden crates. This way, I can use these for fall and into Halloween. Here is a link to the stickers.

Do you like the blue or the white?

Of course, I added some faux pumpkins.

I can’t wait to add some small mums to the mix.

Here are the tutorials for the Hydro Dip Pumpkins:

And for the Mod Podge Custom Pumpkins:

Can you ever have too many pumpkins?

I am quite happy with my choice of colors for these wooden pumpkin crates as I can use them anywhere in the house afterwards without having to worry about bright orange clashing with any room decor.

Chandelier Repurpose Idea For Fall Petticoat Junktion

Solar Powered Water Planter Feature My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Fall Wooden Crate ProjectShop At Blu

Upcycling a Pair of Halloween Pillows Sadie Seasongoods 

DIY Cheese Box Wreath For Fall House of Hawthornes

Bathroom Wall Cabinet Makeover My Repurposed Life

Lamp Makeover with Rub ‘n Buff Our Southern Home

The post Fall Pumpkin Wooden Crate Project appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Grab a puzzle from the closet, the thrift store, the dollar store or a yard sale. This is a great way to use those old puzzles that are missing some critical pieces. Repurpose!

Did some one say REPUPOSE??? That’s right! It’s THRIFT STORE DECOR TEAM Wednesday so it’s time for some thrifty repurposing projects! Remember to check all of the team projects at the end of this post.

Here is my inspiration photo from Pinterest:

I needed to make a cardboard heart shaped base on which to glue my puzzle pieces. But I decided to prime the puzzle pieces first so the paint could dry while I was creating my heart base. 

Spray Paint of Choice

I grabbed a variety of spray paint in Valentine’s colors from my garage. I suggest using at least 3 different colors to create depth and interest. I always recommend using colors in shades of 3. That third color really adds dimension to any project. I used pink, red, and white. And while any spray paint will do, I recommend Rustoleum 2X with primer. You will need less coats (most likely just one) as the coverage is phenomenal.

Separate your puzzle pieces into 3 piles. Start with your first pile and spread the pieces flat on a large surface. Remember to protect your surface from overspray. I often use a large piece of cardboard that I keep in the garage for projects just like this. But this time, I used a pizza box, a shoe box and some other cardboard that was in our recycle bin. 

As I said, my spray paint of choice is Rustoleum 2X paint with primer. It is my life’s goal to have a can in every imaginable color. If you don’t use a paint with primer included, you should first hit your pieces with a light coat of primer. This will reduce the number of coats of color required to cover the puzzle pattern. This is especially important if you are using white spray paint to cover a commonly used water or bright colored floral pattern that seem to be the preferred subjects of puzzle creators.

Apply several light coats of spray paint allowing the pieces to thoroughly dry between coats. The force of the spray paint was quite strong to I had to apply the spray paint with short quick spraying motion to prevent the puzzle pieces from being propelled around the room. This short tapping motion was successful and probably prevented me from excessive overspray and puddling of the paint. I was able to cover the original puzzle patterns with two coats of spray paint. Repeat for the remaining groups of puzzle piles. Spray lightly, allow to dry, repeat until you can’t see the pattern beneath the layers of spray paint. 

Create a Heart Base

While the paint was drying, I moved on to create my heart base. I used a piece of cardboard from our recycle bin. Just draw a heart and cut it out. I folded my cardboard in half and just cut out the half heart shape. This ensured my heart was symmetrical. I have never been able to draw a totally symmetrical heart. One side is always fat and one side is always tall. No lop-sided hearts for this project. I followed the outer line of the heart to remove the smaller heart from the center. so I was left with about a 2″ base for my puzzle pieces. If you don’t have cardboard in your recycle bin, you can use cardboard from a cereal box or even an old gift box. And if you are a planner, you can buy always buy a heart form from the dollar store or craft store.

I used the cardboard side without the design as the base for my heart.

Start Layering

Grab the Elmer’s glue and get started randomly gluing your puzzle pieces to the heart. There really is no hard fast rule. Just dab some glue on the back of your puzzle piece and plop it onto the heart. 

Continue all around the heart until you have one solid layer. Then start your second layer on top of the first still alternating colors. Keep adding alternating colored puzzle pieces until you have filled the heart shape. 

I used 3 layers but you can keep going or stop at two. Continue until your heart is sturdy and you are happy with the appearance.

Aren’t the colors magnificent? This would be a fun project for a St. Patrick’s Day shamrock shape too!

TIP: Here is where you can learn from my mistakes. You should spray paint your cardboard heart form with one of your selected spray paint colors. I didn’t and you can see the cardboard base if you look closely at my heart. So remember this step!

You can glue a piece of ribbon to the back of the heart and hang it on an interior door. I suppose you could use it outside but my front door gets direct Alabama sun all day so it would fry and fade. You could coat it with some Polycrylic to protect it from the direct sun but you would also need a stronger glue than Elmer’s. Use an exterior glue or maybe liquid nails. So indoor use is my choice.

She looks fabulous against the white door with or without a ribbon.

And she looks pretty cute just hanging out with this primitive snowman on the mantle.

I’d like to make some smaller versions to use as ornaments on my flocked tree as those colors would be incredible against the flocking. 

This was an easy project and would be fun with kids. Speaking of which, I had a little buddy crafting with me. This was an easy project for my grandson to complete. He made a heart for his sweet mom. I forgot to snap a photo. But we did continue our crafty Saturday morning by making this Valentine’s house from a left over Gingerbread house kit from Christmas.

Do you have a Saturday morning crafting buddy? I highly recommend them. They bring a whole new level of intensity and fun to Saturday morning crafts.

DIY Hobnail Milk Glass Candle

DIY Floral Mosaic Side Table

Winter Scenes in Silver Plate

Metallic Gold And Clear Glass Vases 

Updating a Thrift Store Lamp

Teak Wooden Bowl Makeover

Bar Stools Into Nightstands

Valentines Puzzle Heart Decor

Here is my favorite Valentine’s craft from last year:

The post Valentine Puzzle Heart Decor appeared first on Shop at Blu.

Scattered Memories

Along with the creative repurpose ideas, these little mannequin heads remind me of my mom. One particular memory comes to mind. Here is a story of my mom and a wig as told by Pop (my dad) . . .

It was a weekend night at the bowling alley somewhere in Philadelphia circa 1960. Pop loved all sports and would often take my mom to the bowling alley on double dates with other couples. One night, back in the 60’s and I assume before they were married, Mom got all dolled up, donned a cute bobbed wig, grabbed her gear, and went bowling with Pop,

They went quite frequently, so, they each had their own bowling balls, bags, and shoes. I remember seeing those supplies in our spare bedroom closet when I was a kid. Even back then, I loved to rummage through closets. I was amazed with the discovery of new things and always had lots of questions.

Anyway, on this night, there was some beer involved mostly on Pop’s end as Mom wasn’t much of a drinker. As Pop told the story, Mom was more of a beginner bowler but she did well. On this night, she had her ball and was preparing to release it down the lane when she slipped and fell. The ball bounced loudly but not as remarkably as her wig did when it fell off of her head as she landed on the slick wooden floor.

Now, they say opposites attract. And that is true for my mom and dad.

Pop was always the life of the party. He was at his best in the center of the room. He would say hello to everyone, everywhere, every time. Mom, not so much. She was friendly but very shy and she was very nervous around new people. So, imagine her horror as her feet come out from under her. The horror was only magnified as that wig left her head. And then, I am certain, Pop could not control his laughter. And if you knew Pop, you know how contagious his laugh was, Poor Mom.

Though her embarrassment would return every time she told the story, it always ended with a smirk, a smile, and a laugh. “I was mortified,” she would say with a pained look. “I could have killed your father,” was always the next sentence. And then she would roll her eyes as she did. Then a shake of her head and she would laugh. “That man!” Always with a laugh.

So, I decided to decoupage this mannequin head with some sweet nostalgic memoirs. My home is filled with memories of family and friends. There is nothing like catching a glimpse of an item that brings back fond memories. This project will sit on a shelf above my work area in my office.

This project is part of this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team projects. Yes! It is the second Wednesday of the month. You know what that means! At the end of this post, you will find a fabulous selection of thrifty, repurposed, and creative projects from our talented team.

Now, on with the project!

How to Decoupage a Mannequin Head

Mannequin heads come in all types of shapes, sizes, and materials. The most economically prices are the styrofoam heads. These were designed to display wigs and can be found used in thrift stores or purchased new from manufacturers and beauty supply stores.

The mannequin head that I am using in this project is styrofoam and does not have any facial features. I found this other one with facial features that I will save for another project. For this project though, I don’t think the facial features will be as noticeable because of the variety of textures and colors I will use to decoupage the surface. I will save this more detailed mannequin head to decoupage or paint in monochrome. She’s pretty cool though, right?

I gave the mannequin head a gentle cleaning with warm soapy water to make sure she was clean. She had some dust and dirt on the surface. It is important to have a clean surface when you decoupage an item. Be sure to use just warm water as hot water could affect the integrity of the styrofoam. When purchasing from a thrift store, you really don’t know the age or history of an item and older styrofoam can be very delicate. So be gentle when you clean your mannequin head. Here she is all cleaned up and ready for her makeover.

Decoupage Medium

My preferred decoupage medium is a product called Mod Podge which is made by Plaid Paints.

You can buy Mod Podge at Walmart, local craft stores and online. It’s a safe product and super easy to use. It is essentially a self sealing glue used to apply and seal fabrics, paper, and many other mediums.

Here are a few past projects using Mod Podge:

I gathered a variety of memorabilia to decoupage onto my mannequin head with Mod Podge. I grabbed items that I brought home from travel, greeting cards and notes from special friends, artwork from my grandson, and a handprint from one of my sons just to name a few.

Using a paintbrush, brush a liberal amount of Mod Podge onto the mannequin head. Work in one small area (about a 2-3 inches square).

Lay your item onto the mod podge and gently smooth it onto the Mod Podge with your fingers or the brush.

Be careful on curved surfaces, like this mannequin head, that you cut small slices in your paper to help the paper fit the curved surface.

Lay your paper onto the Mod Podge.

Smooth with your fingers or the brush.

Apply a liberal coat of Mod Podge over your paper to seal. Use your brush to smooth or tap the paper into place and to remove any wrinkles. Be careful. As your paper gets wetter, it will tear more easily. I usually tap with the brush to avoid ripping the paper.

Add paper/items overlapping edges. Add one piece at a time. Like this wifi password note from a lovely villa where we stayed in Tuscany.

I added a French letter from a trip to Paris, a business card from my antiques store, several tickets from the Italian railway and subway lines, old sheet music, one of my son’s handprints from when he was a toddler, and my badge from the Atlanta’s Buyers Market.

How about birthday cards from special friends, a race car drawn by my grandson, a winning bingo card, and the seal from my Alma Mater.

Last year, when I broke my ankle, my neighbor’s grandson made me a sweet card. I had to add that to my collection. It always makes me smile big…just like Grayson make’s me smile big.

Keep adding until your surface is filled. I added small flowers from cards and sheet music to fill any gaps.

I even added a tiny postcard from my hometown.

So many happy memories gathered in one place!

Simply turn her in different directions to see more memories!

A quarter turn gets you a whole new set of memories.

Isn’t that what life is all about? Collecting and reliving those memories!

Vintage Scale Repurpose House of Hawthornes
Decoupaged Mannequin Head Shop At Blu
DIY Halloween Art Our Southern Home
Botanical Prints on Woven Mats Sadie Seasongoods
Update wicker baskets with paint to look like natural rattan My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Key Cabinet|Easy Makeover My Repurposed Life
DIY Sea Glass Bottles Petticoat Junktion
Thrifted Coffee Grinder Makeover Organized Clutter

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I suspect that my love for gaudy yet gothic things stems from my Catholic school education. Growing up in a church like St. John the Baptist in Manayunk, Philadelphia lends an appreciation for old churches. Isn’t she beautiful?

And the inside is incredulous.

I took these pictured during my last visit in 2022 for a parish celebration. Look at that detail and those classic arches.

Here is the magnificent altar.

Anyway, when I see something that reminds me of my childhood, I grab it. I have the perfect paint to transform this metal garden decor lantern treasure that has seen better days.

And, what a perfect project to share for this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team project. Yes! It is the second Wednesday of the month so, at the end of this post, I am sharing this month’s team projects!

Endless Paint Options

I have been working on sprucing up the outside patio area of our deck. I’ve been trying some custom paint recipes with Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint.

They have 13 basic paint colors that you can combine and mix to make an endless variety of colors. So I have some paint left over from previous projects. Having leftovers makes additional projects super easy. Just grab the paint and get to work. I stored this paint in a plastic Chips Ahoy canister. Simply place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the canister and then place the lid on. This keeps for quite some time. I recently found out that BDSFP makes paint bottles. These are on my list!

I recently found out that BDSFP makes paint bottles.

So much more professional looking and beyond practical for both storage and use. These are on my list!

Get Ready to Paint your Metal Garden Decor Lantern

As always, prep your piece. In this case I checked the surface of the lantern for mars, damage, and rust. Fortunately, the rust was mostly surface rust so I didn’t even have to sand. There was a bit of rust but it was smooth and not flaking.

My choice of paint for most projects is Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint. This paint was designed for use on salvaged and antique or vintage items and works on all surfaces. Restoring or upcycling a metal lantern fits right into BDSFP’s wheelhouse.

I washed the lantern in warm soapy water and allowed it to dry thoroughly. Then I wiped it down with TSP which preps the surface for paint and removes dust and oils.

I applied one liberal coat of paint to the lantern.

After 3 hours, I applied another coat.

I allowed that to dry overnight and sealed the lantern with Crab Coat, which is BDSFP’s marine grade sealer for outdoor projects.

Finishing Touches for a Metal Decor Garden Lantern

You can see that this lantern has a small round metal holder for a candle.

I could remove that but decided just to cut a piece of luan to cover the circular spot.

This way, I can use it for a candle in the future. But for now, I painted the wood to match and set it over the circle.

Eventually, I will probably set a plant in the lantern.

The vertical dividers limit the size of a pot or planter. So I will have to find a planter that is just the right size. For now, I am using the lantern to display some fresh cut florals from my garden.

She is going to look great in the garden or on the deck or on the patio or even by the pool.

But, for now, I am loving her as a centerpiece on the deck…

Where I can enjoy the view everyday after work.

PS…after I took the pictures, I added some highlights via drybrush to give the metal garden decor lantern some character.

Is a project ever really finished?

Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

Domestically Speaking – Laundry Pod Storage

My Repurposed Life – Small Vintage Mirror Makeover

Petticoat Junktion – Spray Paint Clay Pots

Shop At Blu That’s ME! Thanks for visiting!

It’s Prime Day so I couldn’t resist the chance to add some of my favorite finds. If you make a purchase through my link (any purchase), I get a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps support my small blog which can be quite costly to maintain. Every little bit helps! Thank you friends!

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Today is Thrift Store Décor Team Wednesday! 

What better time to share a fabulous upcycle??!!  As always, on the second Wednesday of the month, you will find my special post followed by each of the team member’s posts for the day.  Be sure to click on them all and see the fabulously creative projects.  And if you are particularly interested in rustic gardens, like the one I am starting, pay special attention to Carlene’s blog, Organized Clutter.  Her garden is consistently beyond inspiring! You will find many unique metal garden decor ideas.

Upcycling a Metal Garden Decor Table

I think that this table was originally a deep brown color, rather a mimic of copper.  Someone sprayed it black, which has worn away in spots and you can see the rustic brown beneath the black.  As always, when painting furniture, whether metal or wood, start with a light sanding.  You don’t have to sand down to bare wood or metal.  Just give the surface a light sanding. 

This light sanding serves 2 purposes:

• remove loose surface paint from previous coats
• remove or loosen surface dirt

If you have damaged areas that are scratched or chipped, you might need to sand a little heavier in these areas.  But normally, a light sanding is sufficient.

Prepping is the Key to Success

Sanding is always a must. Follow up with a good cleaning. Dust or wipe down your furniture piece to remove the dust generated from the sanding process.

Follow your light sanding with a wipe down with soapy or warn water. 

I always follow the bath process with a wipe down with TSP (trisodium phosphate) which preps the surface a little further for paint by removing residual dust and oils from the surface.

Allow the piece to dry and then…

You are ready to paint!

My choice of paint for this project is Gonna Need A Bandage, a rich red from Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint.  It is a fabulous red that screams Primitive!  My mind is racing with other items, mostly galvanized and vintage metal items, that would be well enhanced with this color.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the paint use and invest in a good quality brush, like the BDSFP one pictured above. Here is my affiliate link for 20% off supplies.

Always Seal Your Paint!

Though many paints today do not require a top coat, I always seal my pieces for extra protection ESPECIALLY if the piece is going outside. I sealed this table with several coats of Crab Coat which is BDSFP’s heavy duty sealer made specifically for outdoor use.  Check out the details on the product here.

I decided to only use one coat of the red so that the finish was somewhat transparent.  I like that the previous black is faintly peeking through.  You know I love a rustic or dry brushed finish.  Rustic is my second choice behind a vintage chippy finish. Here she is with one coat.

But once the paint dried and cured, it looked like this:

How incredible is this finish?! It looks antiqued! I just love this paint! It always surprises me. The coverage is incredible. For complete coverage, two coats is necessary. But I always allow my project pieces to guide me. I mean, this finish is awesome and had I proceeded with the second coat, I would not have gotten this effect, which works for this project and my unique patina loving soul. Feed your creativity. If you like full coverage, you will get it with this paint. Just apply another coat for a silky vibrant color.

She’s going to be so sweet sitting under the pine trees.  But for now, she’s waiting outside of our little shed. 

She will look great with some patriotic accents.

And some potting and garden must haves.

Or how about beside my Upcycle Vintage Garden Bench.

She looks great beside my flowers too:

So many possibilities!

I did add some shasta daisies to this galvanized tub the other day. 

With my rustic garden underway, I thought I’d share a few of Flo’s things that I absolutely love.

If you are lucky enough to have some special items that belonged to loved ones who are now watching you from above, scatter them around your home. They will make you smile everyday…I promise.

Thrift Store Decor Team Before Photos:

And, as promised, here are this month’s fabulous projects from the Thrift Store Decor Team!

Planter Shelf | Garden Chair  My Repurposed Life

Updated Metal Garden Decor Table Shop At Blu

Vintage Potato Planter Flower Pot Organized Clutter

Paint Plastic Furniture With Krylon White Wash Petticoat Junktion

Boho Wreath using An Embroidery Hoop  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

DIY Repurposed Old Milk Can  Reinvented Deleware

Turn a Thrift Store Plant Stand into a Drink Table Our Southern Home

DIY Coastal Starfish Basket Domestically Speaking

Closet Organizer for Accessories Sadie Seasongoods

The post More Updated Metal Garden Decor appeared first on Shop at Blu.

This picture makes the fabric look pretty good. In reality, it was stained and very thin. It had seen better days indeed. So I stripped out the fabric. The hoop had some residual glue along the edges so I used a utility knife to scrape it off.

I’m sharing this project for Thrift Store Decor Team Wednesday. That’s right! It’s the second Wednesday of the month and time for our monthly share of thrifty decor projects.

As always, at the end of this post, you will find links to all of the other team projects for this month. I can’t wait to see what skills the team is sharing for their projects.

Now, back to the creation of a thrift or dollar store DIY spring wreath!

Supplies

• Large embroidery hoop or similar shaped wreath base
• silk flowers and greenery
• glue gun, paddle wire or florist tape (either will work)
• ribbon (optional)

I like the natural wood on this hoop so I decided to leave it as in instead of applying paint. You could paint it, wrap it with fab or ribbon, embellish it with jute or other items. I am going with simpler is better for this wreath. So natural finish it is!

I stopped by the Dollar Tree and grabbed some colorful spring floral stems. I couldn’t resist the faux ferns either.

The next step is very, very important. Be sure to have your assistant inspect the flowers and suggest a design. Maybe you are lucky, like me, and your assistant has a good eye for design.

I laid the hoop on a flat surface and simply placed the greens and florals around the hoop until I had a design that I like. You can make the wreath as full or as simple as you like. I was going for a thin wreath with heavy floral design on one side of the wreath.

Start with a base of greens.

Then add your individual stems one by one.

Continue adding more colors and flowers.

Once you are happy with the design, start to secure your florals to the wreath. You can use hot glue, floral tape, or paddle wire.

I am going to use my wreath on my front door which gets full on southern sun ALL DAY LONG. Because of direct exposure to and the high heat of the sunlight. I opted not to use the hot glue.

Wrap the wire around and through the stems to secure them to the hoop. Just keep wrapping the wire over the stems and under the hoop until the flowers are securely fastened to the hoop. You can also wire your florals and greens together into one large unit and then wire the entire floral unit onto the hoop. Both methods work. Just use whatever method you are more comfortable with.

The wire is green so it blends with the greenery.

Most of my flowers are on wire stems. I can bend and shape them in whatever direction I desired. So I didn’t have to be overly careful on how I wrapped the wire around the stems and hoop. If the flower wasn’t in the optimal spot, I twisted the stem to make the flower more or less visible.

Final Step…Or Not

The last step was to add a bow. I decided on a whimsical and arty look. This ribbon is from Old Time Pottery. At $2.99 to $4.99 per roll, it was quite affordable.

There are many ways that you can make a bow. Or you can simply buy one! I made my own bow.

But, it was little too busy for this wreath.

I just couldn’t get the look I was going for. I even tried the bow on the other side of the wreath.

Remember what I said earlier about “simpler is better”? Whew! I had really added too much to this wreath. So I stripped it down.

I put the bow aside and removed the white flowers.

Much better. Don’t be afraid to start over! I can’t tell you how many times I have walked away from a project in order to return with a clearer vision. Take a break. Clear your mind. Or simply take a break.

I’m really happy with these vibrant colors. I still think they would look great with the black and white whimsical ribbon. I’ll have to think on a project to showcase those combinations. Do you like to combine colors that don’t traditionally mesh

And here she is on the front door.

Will you be using bold colors this season?

Thrift Store Decor Team Projects

And here are this month’s Thrift Store Decor Team Projects. Let me know if you try any of these! We love to hear what you are working on!

Domestically Speaking

My Repurposed Life

Petticoat Junktion

Sadie Seasongoods

Organized Clutter

Reinvented Delaware

Shop at Blu (that’s me…you are here)!

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