For the first time since very early March, I went thrifting. Now that we’ve moved to a state with stricter rules, I finally felt more comfortable to go inside a thrift store. So, I headed to Habitat ReStore, where I found a series of eyeball lights in their section of light fixtures. But as I stared at them, all I could see was an antique diving helmet!Read more ›
Best Upcycling Ideas and Repurposing Projects by Sadie Seasongoods
American Flag Decor with a Buffalo Plaid Stencil
June 10, 2020 · By · 54 Comments
I’ve made several projects with a buffalo check stencil, but they were always meant for end-of-year decor for the Fall and Winter. So, I’ve been yearning to use that same stencil for a warm-weather July 4th project, perhaps inspired by a picnic tablecloth. But then I started thinking about using the buffalo plaid stencil to create some American flag decor.Read more ›
Faking a Cloisonne Vase
May 13, 2020 · By · 73 Comments
Florist vases are a staple at most thrift stores, aren’t they? On one of my thrifting excursions (many, many months ago), I came across a shelf that was exploding with them. And for whatever reason, I started wondering if they could be painted to look like a Cloisonne vase.
DIY Greeting Cards from File Folders
May 6, 2020 · By · 15 Comments
Spring and early summer bring a plethora of family holidays and birthdays in my world. But the last thing I want to do right now is linger in a grocery store looking for the perfect cards for everyone. So, I decided that DIY greeting cards were the route to take this year.Read more ›
Braided Bracelets from Vintage Handkerchiefs
April 26, 2020 · By · 38 Comments
Making my own jewelry has been a staple in my life for about as long as I’ve had motor skills. I’ve obviously graduated from the friendship pins and bracelets of childhood. But, this project is nearly just as simple, using some vintage handkerchiefs as the main ingredient.Read more ›
How to Designate Your Yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat
April 22, 2020 · By · 18 Comments
As an animal lover and biologist (on paper), it’s no surprise that our yard is very wildlife-friendly. Not only do I love to watch the birds and other critters, but our indoor cats do, as well. Many of my upcycling projects were made specifically for backyard habitat, including feeders, baths, and houses. I learned about designating one’s yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat many years ago, but wasn’t sure how well-known that program was.Read more ›
Telephone Sign on a Small Cutting Board
April 15, 2020 · By · 11 Comments
Long-term quarantining is, quite honestly, the best thing that has happened to my garage in a long time. It’s the only thrift store I have access to and I’m uncovering things I’d long forgotten about. And one of those things was a small cutting board. I decided it was the perfect piece to make a telephone sign.
Upcycling a Decanter Tantalus as an Herb Saver
April 8, 2020 · By · 16 Comments
As you know, my garage is the only “thrift store” I have access to right now. So, it’s been fun for me to discover all of the treasures that I’d collected but not yet upcycled. When I came across this wooden caddy, I did a little research and discovered that it’s a decanter tantalus. That means it’s a lockable liquor holder, but I decided it would be perfect as an herb saver.Read more ›
Botanical Decor from the Thrift Store
March 29, 2020 · By · 35 Comments
With a new season comes a new opportunity to Thrift the Look for another style of home decor. And as Spring approached, my blogging friends and I decided that Botanical Decor or Garden-inspired Decor would be fresh and perfect for this time of year.Read more ›
Painted Tray in Spring Pastel Colors
March 25, 2020 · By · 23 Comments
Now that I’m doing the right thing and staying home, I can’t breeze by a thrift store for project inspiration. Instead, I went “garage shopping” and decided that this rectangular wooden tray was ripe for upcycling. I needed a relaxing activity to calm my nerves and thought that painting it might be just the ticket.Read more ›
