Today is the Thrift Benefit DIY Link Party, where 22 bloggers are linking up to share their DIY projects from items purchased at our local animal shelter thrift stores. Yesterday, I told you about my shopping excursion and about the thrift store, 2nd Chance in Oak Park, Illinois and how their store benefits the Animal Care League.
I also showed some of the items I shopped for including a well worn cookie tin.
Today I am going to show how I transformed that old cookie tin into a postcard display.
And at the bottom of this post you will find a link-up of 21 other DIY thrift store makeovers or animal rescue related stories from the heart. Please check them out because I KNOW that you will find something crazy, cool, unique, trendy, clever or just downright useful made from thrift store items by some really talented bloggers who love this cause as much as I do!
So, onto the cookie tin project.
As I went about my shopping last week, I was open to what I would find, but I did have one project in mind to try.
We are redoing our basement and after I made the canoe rentals sign laundry table, I felt inspired to get a little bit theme-y and go for a look in the basement that might suggest a campground general store (I love those stores, how about you?)
So with that in mind I wanted to try and make a kind of faux postcard display or “turnstyle” with the cookie tin.
I went with a travel inspired theme, but any style or theme would work. Here’s what I used to make this:
Cookie tin
clothes pins
paint (I used chalkpaint)
Painters tape
E6000 Glue
Old drawer pull or door knob
A mismatched cereal bowl (optional)
Decoupage and scrapbook paper or an old map (optional)
Step one: I painted the tin, bowl and door knob (I painted them a few colors-not shown- before I like the color combo)
DIY tip: run painters tape along the lid lip line of the base part of the cookie tin, so that the lid still fits on without too much hassel. (OR) If you paint the lid lip, rub a bar of soap along the lid line, so that lid will open and close easier.
Step two,three and four: I decoupaged on some scrapbook paper and then I glued the clothes pins onto the side of the tin. I did four clothes pins pointing up and four pointing down. I also glued the door know onto the lid.
DIY tip: I measured cookie tin height minus the lip of the lid, marked the back side of the paper to size and then ripped the paper (rather than cut with scissors) by holding a ruler down.
Step five (optional): I glued the bowl onto the bottom of the tin to create a “stand”, if you will.
This cookie tin contraption can also work as a photo display
a memo holder
a chore center for the little ones
a momento keeper for a teenager
maybe even a teacher’s gift
You can remove the lid and store stuff inside, too!
I forgot to mention that I also scored these vintage postcards while I was thrifting!
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ARE YOU FEELING INSPIRED AND READY TO SEE MORE???
Follow along below—–>>
Thank you for stopping by ~ Amy
Click here to see the video that explains the Thrift Benefit
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chris aka monkey says
thats so cool amy… you could display some vaca photos outside and put the rest inside to pull out and enjoy xx
Amy says
Digital photos are so convenient, but there’s nothing like some good old fashioned photos to flip through. And goodness know, I have boxes full from my parents vaca’s of yesteryear. I think my family would love to sit down with a tin full. Love your idea, thank you, Chris xoxo
SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says
Love it! What a great idea.
Jeanette says
Okay Amy, I L~O~V~E this project!!! I’m making one this weekend! And it may look very much…okay exactly like yours! The colors, the bowl and those clothespins perfect! I might make two!
Thank you so much for joining the thrift benefit again this year. ~Jeanette
Amy says
I’m so glad you like the project, but let me tell you, I L-O-V-E all the hard work you put into to organizing this benefit two years in a row and pulling it all together to make it happen. I’ve learned a lot more about the needs of these animals. You have definitely made an impact, Jeanette. THANK YOU!! XOXO
Cheryl in Wisconsin says
I’m always trying to think of fun ways to use those tins! I’m thinking maybe one decked out for Christmas and used as a centerpiece displaying Christmas cards. Thanks for the idea!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
This really is a cool project!!! I love the versatility!! Great style with vintage charm! ~Christy
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
That is the coolest repurpose of a cookie tin ever! I love this idea! Can’t wait to try this myself 🙂
Amy says
Thank you, Christy. I’ve learned so much more about the needs of sheltered animals by doing this benefit. So worth it!!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
What a clever use for an old tin like that! I love it! Especially with the travel inspired theme you went with. Too cute!
Paula@SweetPea says
You are so clever to think of turning a cookie tin into a display stand. I can think of so many ways that this could be used! Great project!
Amy says
Thank you, Paula. And it’s been fun thrifting for such a great cause with you!!
Tammy says
What a great idea…
Mel says
Gorgeous idea Amy, I love it.
Amy says
Thank you, Mel!!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
That is really cool Amy and I love the idea of the bowl and knob to make that tin look so cool! Love your travel theme of it as well. I’m thinking I should make one for Sam’s new shop area where he can put directions to projects on the outside and parts and pieces on the inside. I need a good guy theme!
Amy says
Yet another cool idea I hadn’t thought of, Danni. I’m always challenged with guy themes. There’s fishing, sports, spiders, snakes…LOL
Feral Turtle says
Fantastic idea! I love the extra storage. I really like Cheryls idea too for a Christmas centerpiece!
Amy says
I agree, what a great idea to turn it into a Christmas card centerpiece! Cheryl is brilliant!!
Meagan B. {The Charming Farmer} says
What an awesome idea for storage!
Amy says
Thank you, Meagan, so glad to meet you through the Thrift Benefit!!
Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says
What a fantastic idea! I love this and how you can use it for so many things! Love it!!
Amy says
Thank you, Karen. It was really fun to DIY for such a good cause. And you girls did great in the video!!
christina says
Love this idea – so clever and it’s so versatile! – I have tins like this on hand and tried to spray paint one but dripped all over- wish I had read this first- the chalk paint looks great!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
What a super cute and creative idea Amy!! Love it!! 🙂
Nancy
Heather says
Okay, I am so going to make this to display Christmas Cards!!! Great share.