Monday

The Little Chest Redo

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com

I picked up a little chest at a garage sale filled to the brim with toys. 

The lady said she didn't feel like picking through all that tiny little tykes playhouse furniture so just sold the chest with the toys inside. 

She apparently didn't know people buy those 80's toys on Ebay for several times the original cost.

But I did. 


There were graphics on all three sides of this thing.  Cute if you have a little guy who is into trains, or if you are me you see a solid wood box that can be repurposed.

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com
BEFORE
 There were some dings and dents, but those would just add to the beauty of looking like it had been around for longer than it really has.

It opens with a nice air latch so kids can't squish their fingers. 

But I didn't intend to keep it a toy box, I have enough of those around here.  So it sat waiting for some inspiration. 

Bonus -  I am now the proud owner of a whole bunch, that's WHOLE BUNCH, of Little Tikes toys like these ones....

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com

I already own plenty of this type from my own child of the 80's. 

Now with the addition of a box car full, I have enough to furnish two more houses or pad my Christmas account when I sell them on Ebay.

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com
DURING
I got out the ASCP Old White and de-trained the chest. 

The top was given a nice coat of dark stain.  Not sure what it is because I can't see the label, I think we've had it for 100 years. 

I used three processes for the lettering.
1.  Ice cream.... painted it.
2. Soft Drinks.... wax paper/printer transfer method from the Graphics Fairy.
3. City Drug Store, messed up a Mod Podge process, but it turned out old and weathered in spite of messing up.

The chest was sanded and distressed and rubbed with dark wax. 

I used super heavy duty train resistant glue and and glued on a vintage ice cream scoop.

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com

 The inspiration came from a big sign I pinned which you can check out on my Signs & Other Graphics Pinterest board. 

The vintage scoop says 'for ice cream or shortening', but nothing about gluing it to an old toy box.

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com
AFTER
 I like the after, not that I've got anything against trains. 

Also at garage sales I found this pack of vintage straws. 

Just like I remember them, no cute stripes, just hard paper.

Vintage Straws, Bliss-Ranch.com
I admit the cute new paper straws with stripes these days are pretty fun, but these original paper straws have a unique feel to them.

Updated Toy Box, Bliss-Ranch.com
 Keeping it Autumn like with black & orange.  
Gotta drink up this great Fall weather.

The Little Chest is chugging on to these parties:

Furniture Fix Friday @LostandFoundDecor



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76 comments :

  1. That looks fantastic Great job! Megan

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  2. I love little chests! :). And stripy straws!

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  3. Looks wonderful! I'm dying to see what you do with that barber shop, so I wish you'd get crackin' on it! :0)
    ~Angie

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  4. Oh my goodness, I love it! It's so stinkin' cute!

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  5. The chest is darling! Bonus for the toys ;-)

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  6. adorable! always great ideas over here.
    unfortunately i was googling how to enhance/redo my little chest.... and i ended up here. ;)

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  7. What a fun piece!
    I can always count on you for inspiration.
    Go garage sales and flea markets!
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  8. Oh so cute, I love it. You did a fabulous job, nothing better than an old wooden toy chest!

    Carol

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  9. This is so cute. I might steal this idea for the scary trunk I got that was full of someone's baby pictures! Excuse me while I go help myself to some Ice Cream.

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  10. Scrumptious! Wonderful picks on the typography and love the scoop too. You can never go wrong with picking ice cream over a train. :)

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  11. Love it! Talent! Ya have what it takes!

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  12. That is so stinkin cute Bliss! I'm sure you will find a place to show this piece. Enjoy your day, Gail

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  13. Love, love, love it, Bliss! You have a wonderfully creative mind!

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  14. Very COOL transformation!!! I don't think it will be too much longer before your barber shop is open for business! Art gallery? Antique shop? Only time will tell!

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  15. I absolutely love this transformation! Can I have it? Haha. Just kidding. Kind of.

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    Replies
    1. If you can fix your settings so you are no longer a no reply blogger I will consider giving you the chest.
      Bliss

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  16. Totally dig the transformation! I saw some of those straws in an antique store in IL while visiting my daughter. I was tempted to buy them for nostalgia's sake, but didn't.

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  17. I would've bought that chest too, even though there's no place for it in my house either. Very cute! So jealous of your barbershop and contents...when will it be ready for visitors???

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  18. I would have grabbed that baby up too. But I just don't have vision like you do, and it turned out great. A scoop?! Nice touch.

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  19. Only YOU would think to add an ice cream scoop! You come up with the most amazing ideas! You have so many great makeovers that I have a HUGE list of "Bliss Favorites" in my head. And this is one of them! Great job, lady!!

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  20. What an amazing transformation - God you're good - absolutely love it!!!

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  21. You've created another wonderful piece! Totally pinning this!

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  22. Fantastic transformation! The ice scream scoop - why don't I think of things like that?! Love it!

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  23. Well well here you go again Miss Bliss! This is adorable. I LOVE it. Thanks for joining my twisted party:)

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  24. Jeez Bliss you never cease to amaze! This is so sweet and if you consider "City Drug Store" messed up I wanna mess up like you. The whole chest is awesome.

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  25. I love old advertising pieces and this one looks like the real deal. Great makeover!

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  26. I have the exact same scoop. My grandmother gave it to me and I have had it forever. Love the little chest!

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  27. Well it's just adorable! And I think it was good that you messed up the City Drug transfer because it looks great the way it turned out!

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  28. Bliss...I love the way that you used the different techniques...I am always in awe of your work...Blessings, Becky

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  29. we have the before...and it doesn't even look as good as your before!!!
    your work is always an inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. Now you know just what to do with it!
      Bliss

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  30. So cute! You always do such a great job with creating that vintage feel! :)

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  31. um......................one word for this project and for you...AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWESOME!!!!!! hugs : )

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  32. As usual, another amazing transformation. I would imagine, projects like this help keep your caboose small...the ice cream, however, well that's another story :)

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  33. Bliss...This wonderful a real beauty.

    Cynthia

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  34. I'm channeling you for my current desk project, but you must have some kind of lock on your aura...

    Love it, Bliss!

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  35. This is so beautiful. How do you just whip stuff up like this so quickly?!

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  36. So much better than the trains. Who doesn't love ice cream? :)
    Kelly

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  37. Now THAT'S a transformation!! It looks nothing like it originally did. I love what you did with it. You'll have to let us know where it ends up.

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  38. Wow that is awesome! I don't see any mess-ups, it's all perfect to me. The glued on scoop is just the perfect accent to bring it up to a whole 'nother level! Those trains had to go!

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  39. I love the chest. It's amazing. Seriously.

    But then you had to distract me with those straws. I can't keep my eyes off of them :)

    Have a great day rock star!
    karianne

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  40. WOWZA, I am in love with this! Hmm...now my head is doing that spinning thing with ideas :)

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  41. This is great! What a neat transformation. Ice cream beats trains any day!

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  42. Catching up from being gone and I love this!!! So great and the after is definitely better!!!
    Hugs,
    Bj

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  43. This is AWESOME!! I've got three toy boxes to do and I can't wait to do them now. Thanx for the inspiration!! It's REALLY cool!

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  44. You gave it the perfect Bliss treatment! And I had forgotten all about those paper straws ...

    :)

    Linda

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  45. Bliss I love it! You are so good at making furniture with words on it! Everything you make is awesome my friend!
    Susan

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  46. You've got a great chest there Bliss!
    Kelly

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  47. So what's going to happen with the Barber Shop building. That's going to be something to see - are you opening 'Bliss's Emporium', piled high with super creative makeovers ?
    Looking forward to it, loving your little chest makeover, always so inspiring Mrs. B !

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  48. Amazing as always! I love all the typography that you use on your furniture redos. I'm not following your signage board because I'm always looking for inspiration for DIY signs. Thanks for some more great ideas!

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  49. I'm so glad you posted this on Show and Tell Saturday! I LOVE it. Awesome job!

    Katie
    www.funhomethings.com

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  50. You never cease to AMAZE me! That chest is darling! xo

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  51. Oh Bliss...you are such a clever endeavor!
    Love it!
    Thanks for linking up this week!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  52. Love it! The scoop added is perfect. You are quite clever, girlfriend! :)

    xo
    Pat

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  53. of course it turned out amazing! I just love the icecream scoop on it!
    Feels truly vintage and makes me want a rootbeer float!
    Love it.
    Hugs,
    Karin
    www.artisbeauty.net

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  54. LOVE THIS PROJECT!!!!

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  55. This is adorable, Bliss! I always appreciate the inspiration you share at Potpourri Friday!

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  56. I love it! I especially love that you added the ice cream scoop to it! Great job!

    Holly

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  57. This is adorable! Add that scoop is such a creative touch! This is so pinned!!

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  58. Anonymous9/18/2012

    Coming to catch up and get some inspiration. Been to long without a paint brush in my hand and this is just what the doctor ordered. Well, I take that back. I have yet to have a doctor order me to eat ice cream or drink soda but there is still hope...

    Pinning to steal for future project ideas!

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  59. I love it so much that I'm going to feature it at tonight's party!

    Holly

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  60. Another winner, Bliss! I have room for it...just so you know.
    xxx, Tina

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  61. Love it! Nothing looks messed up to me. It looks like its been around for years thanks to your clever creativity. An improvement to the trains for sure, but what a load of toys you must have.

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  62. I love refinishing furniture into a vintage look, Good job!

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  63. You amaze me with all of your transformations. That box was ugly... until now. Love the new look.

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  64. Sorry I missed this post earlier. Love the way you made that over. Wow, and free old toys to boot. Would love for you to link up the scarecrow post to my party, too. I love that thing.

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  65. Nice job Bliss! I remember having one of those scoops - and serving up the neopolitan ice cream. Forgot about scooping Crisco with it!

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  66. You are just one darn talented lady! Just love the new look! Great redo!

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  67. I remember that ice cream scoop!! My grandparents had a similar one when I was growing up. This chest totally rocks!
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

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  68. Replies
    1. and you cannot lie.....
      (you know, from Shrek?)
      Bliss

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  69. You just are so darn clever. The little tykes are so cute! I remember those.

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  70. So cute! The glued on spoon is the best! I love it :) Thanks so much for linking up to #FridaysFurnitureFix :)

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