May 2016 | Vintage, Paint and more...

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

#3 Vintage Box

Good morning everyone. 
 My it has been a long time since I have done a post.  I have been on a fairly long hiatus after undergoing a heart procedure that took more time to recover from than I had anticipated.  But I am  finally feeling like my old self and have lots of fun things planned to share with you soon.  While I was recuperating "T" and Papa were busy doing some projects around the house, we have a high school graduation coming up some DIY projects, and the big event this year is my grand daughter Sissy's wedding.  We are doing lots of DIY for her very vintage rustic wedding that is being held in an old barn here.  Loving all the great ideas she has and I know you all will also.  Well, enough for what is happening in the future  - let's get on with today's project. 


Vintage, Paint and more.. #3 stenciled vintage box painted with chalk paint and filled with burlap flowers


I found this cute little vintage wood box at my favorite thrift shop for $1.  I love finding little things like this because they are so simple to remake into something that fits into my vintage, rustic decor.  



Vintage, Paint and more.. Thrifted vintage wood box

First of all I cleaned it well with a little vinegar and water (mixed in equal parts)  to get all the years of gunk off it.  Then I mixed up a little bit of chalk paint.  I used what I had on hand which was a sample jar of Valspar's Polar White paint that I added some Plaster of Paris to.  When I do a small project like this I just mix a teaspoon of  Plaster of Paris with a teaspoon of water until it's smooth.  Then I add about 1/4 cup of paint and mix the two together well.  If it's too thick you can add more water to it but do so in very small amounts.   It should be creamy, smooth and a bit like pancake batter.

Vintage, Paint and more... supplies to diy a chalk painted vintage wooden box

Then I painted the little box with this mixture.  This gives it a very chalky appearance that is easy to distress.

Vintage, Paint and more... chalk painted vintage wooden box

Next I stenciled the number three on the front of the box.  I simply used a Sharpie to do it. Very easy and you have more control than with a brush filled with paint.

Vintage, Paint and more... stenciled and chalk painted thrifted vintage wooden box

Next I distressed it a bit so it had more of a vintage feel to it.  I simply used a medium coarse sanding block and just went over the edges and places that I thought would have received some wear and tear over the years.  Then I put a thin coat of Johnson's Furniture Paste Wax on and when it was dry just buffed it a little to give it a nice smooth feel and appearance.  This step also makes the distressing  a little more apparent.

Vintage, Paint and more.. Thrifted vintage wood box chalk painted, stenciled and distressed

When I was finished I decided to use it as a small flower container so I put a small block of Styrofoam in the box and covered it with some dried moss.  Then I placed two burlap flowers in it that I bought at the Dollar Store and a little blue bird I bought there also.  

Vintage, Paint and more... thrifted vintage wood box made into vintage flower container with burlap flowers

I love how it turned out and will be using this in our decor.  So cute and those burlap flowers are so fitting for the vintage feel.  Such a quick and easy update for a cute little thrift store find.  

What have you been up to lately -  would love to hear about it in the comments below.  



I will be linking to parties listed on the Where I Party page.  Please go by and visit  - you will find so much great inspiration and creativeness at each one.


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