DIY! Trash to Treasure Fun

I rarely find treasures on the corner or by the dumpster (and am so jealous of those who do!), but a few months ago, I headed over to the BIG recycling bin - I may have had some boxes left over from Christmas that just needed a new "home" - and I found this wood frame thingy leaning against a very sad upholstered chair!

I am not exactly sure what to call it - I have seen things like this that are picture frames (although none of the openings were of a normal photo size) or a coat hanger. It looks like there may have been a small shelf at some point as well. Who knows!? I was compelled to bring it home (I left the icky upholstered chair that was there).

I played around with it for awhile. I had one idea but that did not work and then another, but did not love it and now finally this idea, which if I do say so myself I kind of like.

So I normally like to show things others can replicate, and you may or may not be able to replicate this exactly, but consider this as inspiration. I considered this a MacGyver DIY. I just kept pulling stuff out gluing things together and cutting things up until I got what I wanted. Best yet this project cost ZERO DOLLARS (perhaps because I am a craft hoarder)!

Oh, I have thought about this...I do think you could create a similar item with chunky picture frames and a 1" x 4" piece of wood (I am working on one for my sons room). I used all kinds of random pieces I had around the house.

Trash to treasure and some creativity is the key!

SUPPLIES

Missing from this photo are Gorilla Glue, Krylon Dover White, and DecoArt Asphaltum and Staining/Antiquing Medium. Like I said this project evolved. There are photos below of these items

• Milk Paint, Lamp Black from Rockler
• Purdy Paint Brush
• Krylon Looking Glass
• Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint, Dover White (or accent color of choice)
• Krylon Super Quick Spray Adhesive
• Design Divas Vinyl "Home Sweet Home" #1502
• Gorilla Wood Glue
• Gorilla Glue
• Sanding Bug Rockler
• Dremel Multi-Max
• DecoArt Staining and Antiquing Medium
• DecoArt Acrylic Paint, Asphaltum
• Deft Wood Finishing Spray in Semi-Gloss, Rockler
• Foam Brush
• Rags
• Cork Tiles (from craft store)
• Glass square (from old picture frame)
• Knobs, hooks, etc. (I got mine at a craft store on clearance for 99cents each...I did not know what I was going to use them on but 99cents spoke to me!)
• Wood Putty
• Protective covering for work surface

DIY IT!

Go visit The DIY Club for the full tutorial!

Glue, putty, and reinforce!

Sand it all down.

Paint it. Stain it. Seal it.

Accessorize it!

At this point I was still figuring out what to do...

Take 1: I tried some photos...eeee...not quite right

Take 2: I tried all cork...eeeee...too blah!

Create a fun focal point

with Krylon's Looking Glass

Add some cork

And some Design Divas Vinyl

Voila!

I like it. I think it turned out pretty good for a trash to treasure. It took some time to get the right look - a look I was pleased with, but finally I just went with it.

Anyone have a good trash to treasure find and makeover?