Let’s start simple!

Oooh, I’m super excited because this is my first DIY post. In the future I’ll have different types of DIY tutorials, from my homemade mouthwash, soap, lotions and eye make-up remover to Harry’s various projects. We’ve been DIYing for a while and I can honestly say that when you create or repurpose something with your own hands, it’s down right satisfying.
Just a little background on this sweet little number, it belonged to my Bachi (the Polish word for Grandmother), my father’s mother. Bachi passed away over the summer. She was well into her 90s. I didn’t know her for sewing, but from the contents of the box, it looks like she knew a thing or two about it! Check out the brassiere repair kit, and the sock darning tool! LOL!

Now, on to the project.

I’m just going to show you a before and after, because really, this was probably the simplest project I’ve done in recent memory! In the early fall, when I inherited the box I knew I wanted to give it a little facelift so I emptied it out and cleaned it really well with acetone. Acetone is a great way to get rid of dirt, oils and residue on wood that you are looking to repaint. I didn’t go through the whole stripping process because it wasn’t painted and the finish on it was pretty warn. After cleaning it up real well with Acetone, I used very fine sandpaper (I think 220) to smooth any roughness and get it primed for painting. I knew I wasn’t going to get to painting it before our move so I put the hardware back on…and then it sat….for a few months. 

I finally had some extra time and finished the job. I found a can of latex off-white paint and mixed 2 parts paint with one part water. It was a small job so I mixed this up in a plastic cup. I took the hardware back off and went to work. Dabbing my finger wrapped in a small piece of an old white t-shirt, I rubbed the paint in making sure I went with the grain. This gave it a weathered, distressed look. I let it dry, put the hardware back on and voila! I think it came out pretty darn good!

Well there you have it…do you have plans to upcycle something? Maybe this technique can help! If you do, I would love to see photos!
Cheers to all you DIYers!!!