{swap it like it’s hot} Thrift Store Items Get New Life

Who’s ready to “Swap It Like It’s Hot?”

um, swap it like it’s what?!?!

Here’s how it works… a bunch of bloggers go shopping at their local thrift stores to purchase item(s) that are desperate for some TLC for around $10-$15.  Then they send those items to another blogger who is challenged to repurpose whatever treasures she receives in the mail into something new and useful.

Since I love repurposing things, I thought this would be a fun challenge to participate in.

But then I started to question what I was thinking. I mean, talk about the pressure to figure out what to make with whatever items you are sent! So when the package arrived I must admit I was feeling a little nervous.

OK, let’s take a quick inventory of what Jamie from That’s My Letter sent me.

Feeling nervous? EEEK!

Hmmmm, I see a pink pleather purse, 4 curtain rings, a set of curtain holdbacks and a bamboo cutting board.

Not bad. Not bad at all! Ah, yes. I believe I can work with this!!!! Thanks Jamie!

Alright, is the suspense killing you yet? Then let’s get to the “HOT” part of this “SWAP”.

First up: the cutting board. It started as this:

I knew it was the perfect item to upcycle as a chalkboard cheese platter.

We have already used this cheese board several times and I am kind of obsessed. I’ll be back soon to share the full tutorial for the cutting board and my tips for a tasty cheese platter. If you like cheese (um, who doesn’t) then this is a great project to tackle and actually would make a super cute hostess gift too.

OK. One item down, three to go! Next up: 4 Wooden Curtain Rings

I admit, I struggled with this one. But then it hit me…. Ah-HA, these would make PERFECT napkin rings! I had this great geode wind chime that I no longer had a place to hang. I LOVE the geode slices and hated that they were not out on display. I LOOOOOOVE them on the napkin rings. Tutorial coming soon! (hint, it was easy peasy)

OK, we are half way there. Let’s talk about these random curtain holdbacks. Funny story, I put all of these items in a “safe” place when they arrived until I was going to have time to work on them. Then, I couldn’t find them for weeks. #mombrainisreal

But it was actually a good thing though because just as I found the missing goodies, I was working on a centerpiece for our  upcoming Kentucky Derby Party. Ah, yes, I do believe these would make the perfect bling on the horses saddle towel. (full tutorial for this Moss Horse coming very soon!)

And last but not least, the pink pleather purse. Y’alllllllll. I wanted so badly to come up with something but I got nada. Maybe you will see a tutorial down the road if something hits me. Oh, the suspense, ha. 🙂

Now that you’ve seen how I transformed these items from thrift store randomness to functional goodies, it’s time to see what everyone else did with their swaps! Here is a sneak peek at what I sent Kimm at Roadkill Rescue. I guess I was in a wood kind of mood when I went shopping? Can’t wait to see what she did with them!

And to see all of the projects, be sure to check out all of them below. So much inspiration!

Hearts & Sharts
58 Water Street
I Am a Homemaker
Prim and Propah
Create & Babble
Windgate Lane
Gourley Girl and Guy
Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza

Confetti Style
Blue i Style
Polished Habitat
Two Purple Couches
Run to Radiance
Restoration Redoux
Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Our Southern Home

Erin Spain
Prodigal Pieces
That’s My Letter
Southern State of Mind (you are here!)
Roadkill Rescue
Always Never Done
Year of Serendipity
Casa Watkins

Links will be added on Thursday

 

Links will be added on Friday

 

Thanks for stopping in!

xoxo-

Heather