When Value Village asked me to swing by the grand opening of their new store in Sherwood Park last week to find some treasures to upcycle, of course I said "YES"! I completely enjoy the challenge of trying to find a new use for old things and to make "treasure" out of things that other people don't love any more.
My mom, my two girls and I really enjoyed our visit to the new Value Village. It was huge, clean, and well stocked. Sometimes I bothered by smells at thrift stores, but I was pleasantly surprised with the pleasant, neutral scent that greeted my nose here! And did I ever find some good stuff! Not only did we find loads of new-looking toys for my girls (Barbies, ponies, board games and more), I found a gorgeous piece of maybe-vintage lace to craft with and these vintage frames with some potential:
They look like they're quite possible from the '70's and in quite an awful burnished gold, plastic-y finish. They were 99 cents each - it was a no-brainer! Spray paint to the rescue!
For only a dollar each, I turned these forlorn looking picture frames into some pretty, shabby chic butterfly art with just a can of spray paint and some prints I printed myself on my home computer.
First, I took off the backs and took the glass out of the frames. I laid them on my (ventilated) basement floor and spray painted them with two thin coats of Krylon Dual Paint + Primer in Gloss White.
I find that a couple of thin coats of spray paint is always better than one thick one.
While the frames were drying, I printed out some pages of this antique butterfly book I found (I just love it!) on my home printer on cardstock paper. I made sure they were the exact size I needed (which was an odd size - 6 ½" x 8 ½"). The beauty of printing art at home is you can resize it to make it fit any frame!
Once the frames were dry, I replaced the glass, popped my prints in, but on the backs and...voila! I have some beautiful DIY shabby chic butterfly art for my new home and it cost me less than $4. You can't beat that!
If you haven't considered decorating your home with finds that you upcycle from a great thrift store like Value Village, you should give it a try.
When you look around, try to see the potential in things. Can it be cleaned? Can it be painted? Can I use it for something completely different than what it was originally intended?
Often with a new coat of paint, old things can become new treasures that will make themselves at home in your abode.
For my Canadian friends: this coming Monday August 26th would be an excellent day to do some treasure finding at Value Village because they're having a 50% off sale!
I'm going to try to go again on Monday to find some more potential home decor (and back to school!) pretties. Have a wonderful weekend, friends, and happy thrifting!
(Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Value Village. The views and opinions expressed here are purely my own.)
I love this project - white spray paint can do such magic on thrift store treasures:) Thanks for sharing this idea, totally inspired to DIY some art for above my desk now!
Raj
Pink Chai Style