A New Addition to the Kitchen

Something new has been added to the kitchen. 

 Can you spot it?

Remember, below is what it looked like before. 

 (This is on top of the fridge by the way.)

I changed it up for fall, and then again for Christmas (though I'm not sure if I ever showed you those), and now I've simplified it a bit and added in something new.

Did you figure it out?

It's this little wooden crate I found at Goodwill a few days ago.

Wanna know a secret?  That's not how I found it.

I found it like this.  Brand new looking and for only .99!  

I actually stood there and debated with myself on whether or not to buy it, because really and truly I did not need another "to do" project added to my pile.  But on the other hand, I reasoned, I really want to get more practice with sign making and image transfers.  So the solution would be to not ever let it get to the "to do" pile, but to just do it that very day!

So I did.  My dishes didn't get done, and my floor felt a little gritty for the day, but I got it done! 

 I designed what I wanted on my PrintMaster program, and printed it off twice, one for each end.  Using {this pencil technique} I transferred the image onto my box.  I was feeling too lazy to go upstairs and dig through my box of paints inspired to try out Sharpie markers and colored my image using those.

I sanded it down really good, and then stained the whole thing with a vinegar/steel wool solution to give it an aged weathered look.  

(The staining solution is SO difficult to make. (Not!)  You fill a jar 1/2 full of white vinegar, add some water until about 3/4 full, throw in a chunk of steel wool, shake it up, and leave it sit for a day or two.  See, difficult stuff right there.  Not sure if you can handle all that.)

Here, quit turning your head sideways before you give yourself a crook in the neck.  I flipped the image for you.  Your chiropractor will thank me.

I thought it turned out kinda cute for a little experimental project.  That was my first time using the pencil technique.  It was super simple and easy to do.

I think designing the image and getting it sized right was the most time consuming part of it, other than that it took me about 20 minutes or so to finish.

It just goes to show that cute decorating, no matter the style, can be done on a small budget if you have the patience to wait and are willing to put in the leg work to go searching for the treasures.  The rusty rooster was a yard sale find for $1, the crate - .99, ball jar - $1, boxwood trimmings - free from my front yard, vintage scale - yard sale score for $10, the grain sack towels - Walmart (I can't remember the exact price, but very affordable), and the gingham towels were sent to me by a sweet and thoughtful blog reader.

So don't let a small budget keep you from making your home a beautiful representation of you.  Allow your creativity to flow, everyone has it to some degree, and look around you for what you can transform into unique, beautiful, and thrifty decor that represents you and makes you feel at home in your own space.

                                                                  

Sharing over at:

Budget Decorating Party - Creative Cain Cabin
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Wow Us Wednesdays - Savvy Southern Style

Saturday Nite Special - Funky Junk Interiors

Sunny Simple Sunday - Sunny Simple Life

What we Accomplished Wednesdays - Green Willow Pond