Thrift Store Makeovers: Swap It Like It’s Hot

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know I’ve been teasing a little about this week’s Flea Market Swap event, better known at #SwapItLikeItsHot, coordinated by the uber-talented Charlotte of Ciburbanity. (3 cheers for Charlotte!)

So, how does a #SwapItLikeItsHot work? First, everyone playing is assigned a fellow blogger. Then we all head out to our favorite thrift stores, flea markets, etc, to uncover goodies to send to our swapee. We mail our items to their recipients, dance giddily when we receive our own box full of goodies, and get to work reimagining what the contents can be!

Want to see how my thrift store makeovers turned out??

I received a box full of goodies from Christy at Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer. And I have to say, as I started unpacking the goods, I was feeling a little stumped! Here’s a look at what she sent me:

A wooden basket, a wooden frog, a china plate and a solid wood watermelon slice.

Huh?

Yeah, that watermelon slice really threw me! What in the world was it used for in its pre-thrift store life??

The frog was my first makeover victim. After some Googling, I discovered that it’s actually a musical instrument! Bonus – you can buy your own on Amazon! There should be a carved wooden stick in the frog’s mouth that you can scrape along the back ridges to make a percussion sound.

Since I had no plans of using this as a musical instrument, I thought it would make a perfect little sort of bud vase. I got to work with a drill and paddle bit, carving out a hole in its back. Lemme tell you, this was NOT easy! The wood this thing is made out of is super hard!! Once the hole was drilled, I gave it light sanding and a coat of metallic gold craft paint. I would have preferred to spray paint it, but the single-digit temperatures we’ve been having aren’t really spray-paint friendly. But still, he looks pretty jazzy with his new coat of paint!

Now, onto the wood basket! This basket held a pretty interesting discovery—a stamp on the bottom that reads: “Made By Inmate. Maine State Prison.”

I think it’s pretty cute as-is; it just needed a slightly darker stain to suit my taste (one light coat of Minwax Red Mahogany).

Once Spring rolls around, I’m going to use it as a mini herb garden in the kitchen.

Next up, this china plate that I decided to turn into ring dish.

An Anthropologie-inspired Eiffel Tower Ring Dish, to be exact. I’ll be sharing the full step-by-step tutorial later this week, otherwise this post would be waaayyyy tooo long. {Update: you can find the full tutorial here!}. But I will say, my first attempt at sculpting a miniature Eiffel Tower wasn’t as disastrous as I thought it would be!

And last but not least… the watermelon slice!

Well… I’m still stumped on this one. So, what if I make this an interactive #SwapItLikeItsHot? If you’ve got a suggestion for what I should do with this random wood watermelon slice, let me know! Leave me a comment! I’ll choose one idea and share the results in the coming weeks!

Now, I hope you’re not swapped out because there are still a bunch of makeovers to check out—today and the rest of this week! Hop on over to Sarah’s blog, While They Snooze, to see what she did with these old 45 records and this colorful shower curtain!

Don’t miss the full rundown of awesome swaps happening this week!
I’ll be updating the links each day.

Day 1
Run to Radiance
Decor Adventures
Year of Serendipity
58 Water Street
Don’t Disturb This Groove
Like a Saturday
Artsy Chicks Rule

Day 2
Two Purple Couches
While They Snooze
The Gathered Home
Black and White Obsession
Ciburbanity
Restoration Redoux
Confessions of aSerial Do-it-Yourselfer

Day 3
Primitive & Proper
Queen of Everything
That’s My Letter
Finding Silver Pennies
Migonis Home
Windgate Lane

Day 4
I Am a Homemaker
Town and Country Living
Thoughts from Alice
Our Southern Home
Chic Little House
SG Style
Two Thirty~Five Designs

Day 5
Gourley Girl & Guy
The Thinking Closet
The Charming Farmer
2 Little Superheroes
Shades of Blue Interiors
Live Pretty on a Penny

Sharing with: Pretty Preppy Party / Something To Talk About

70 thoughts on “Thrift Store Makeovers: Swap It Like It’s Hot”

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Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer March 3, 2015 at 8:36 am

I am very impressed that you were able to come up with great ideas for most of the items! That watermelon just spoke to me ha ha. I saw that stamp on the bottom of the crate too lol. I guess it was made by an inmate? Love the frog in gold and the plate is very cool now! Great job, I know I was tough on you, but you pulled it off great! 🙂
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…Flea Market Swap: Fabric Covered Basket
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 8:58 am
  
  Haha, thanks Christy! I’m going to figure out something awesome to do with that watermelon one of these days 😉
Celia March 3, 2015 at 8:38 am

Great job! FYI when you scrape the stick along the frogs back the noise it makes attracts other frogs. If you are in the right location the frogs will all be a trilling (croaking ?)
Maybe you could make the watermelon into a sign as a sun?
“You are the sunshine of my life” or
the children’s song
“Oh Mr. sun, sun Mr. golden sun …..
OR – add a bracket to it & make a shelf to catch keys by a door?
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 8:59 am
  
  Thanks Celia! I wish the frog still had the stick so I could’ve try it out! Love your suggestions for the watermelon 😉
  1. jody settlemire March 3, 2015 at 9:41 am
    
    I would add a bracket and some paint to the watermelon piece and make it a sconce shelf thing for the wall. I like what you did with the little frog, he turned out cute. 🙂
    1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 11:38 am
      
      Thanks Jody! Great suggestion to turn the watermelon into a shelf!
      1. jeannine March 9, 2015 at 5:29 am
        
        That was my thought too – adding a wood bracket to make a knick-knack shelf to add interest to a wall grouping of pictures or photos.
      2. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 9, 2015 at 8:23 am
        
        Thanks Jeannine!
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Marie@The Interior Frugalista March 3, 2015 at 11:43 am

I’m visiting from Christy’s blog – I just had to see what on earth you were going to do with that frog and watermelon slice. LOL Well you wowed me with the frog – that is a sweet transformation! I’m with you on the basket – perfect for a mini herb garden! As for the watermelon…good luck with that! The only thing that popped into my head would be to put 3 mini legs on the bottom, paint and distress it, and use is it to display something. (mini pots with succulents, a vase with flowers, etc). -OR- if all else fails make a sign with a French graphic.
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 11:57 am
  
  Hi Marie! Thanks so much for stopping by! I like the idea of turning the watermelon into a mini display – I hadn’t thought of that! Christy sure gave me a challenge with this box of items!
Charlotte @ Ciburbanity March 3, 2015 at 12:57 pm

I have an audience participation one too! 🙂 LOOOOOOVE the eiffel tower ring holder!! GENIUS!!!! 🙂
Charlotte @ Ciburbanity recently posted…#SwapItLikeItsHot III: Thrift Store Swap
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 1:25 pm
  
  Thanks Charlotte!! I love this audience participation angle 😉
Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession March 3, 2015 at 1:23 pm

Updating/re-purposing all but one of the items, kudos! I’m absolutely loving that Eiffel Tower dish. I have a mini-collection of them around he house including a ring dish, but one can never have too many ring dishes. Looking forward to the tutorial!
Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession recently posted…Thrifted Makeover: Mini Abstract Art #SwapItLikeItsHot
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 1:26 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Trisha!! And I totally agree that there’s no such thing as too many ring dishes 😉
Jessica B March 3, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Chop it down the middle, flip on its side for bookends for cookbooks!!!! I’d spray it with a high gloss clear laquer. : )
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm
  
  Neat idea, Jessica! Bookends would be cool!
Bee March 3, 2015 at 2:57 pm

Love what you did!! great job! xoxo
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm
  
  Thanks Bee 🙂
Sarah March 3, 2015 at 3:40 pm

The frog is so cute and I love your Eiffel Tower!
Sarah recently posted…Flea Market Swap: Old Records and a Shower Curtain
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm
  
  Thanks Sarah!!
Rachel March 3, 2015 at 4:36 pm

The frog vase is so cute! That would be a unique piece to add to a Spring mantel. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you do with the plate!
Rachel recently posted…Flea Market Swap Makeover – #swapitlikeitshot
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 5:40 pm
  
  Thanks Rachel 😀
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Brandi March 3, 2015 at 5:05 pm

Your wooden basket is so cute. Darker stain was the way to go. I bet it will be really cute filled with herbs.
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 5:40 pm
  
  Thanks Brandi 🙂
cassie March 3, 2015 at 5:53 pm

i love that frog! he’s awesome!!! and as for the watermelon slice…. hmmm…. i think you could sand it, repaint it with colorblocking, lay it on its side and drill some pencil holes in it to make it a modern pencil holder. i don’t know!
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 6:13 pm
  
  Thanks Cassie! Hmmm, a pencil holder… that’s a neat idea!
Brynne@TheGatheredHome March 3, 2015 at 5:57 pm

Your transformations were so creative! That frog was just meant to be gold and hold flowers – he’s so cute!
Brynne@TheGatheredHome recently posted…Mind The Gap + $100 Ace Gift Card Giveaway
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 6:13 pm
  
  Thanks so much Brynne 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule March 3, 2015 at 6:11 pm

That frog is so sweet now!! And I love what you did with the basket!
Great job!
Nancy
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted…Thrifty Makeovers Repurposed (Swap it Like it’s Hot!)
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 6:14 pm
  
  Thank you Nancy!!
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Arlo Boutwell March 3, 2015 at 8:43 pm

The watermelon is perfect, glue some real watermelon seeds over the painted seeds and screw in two eye hooks or cup hooks to the top toward the ends (this would be the straight side not the rounded). Then the real work begins, cut another piece of wood in a half moon just like the watermelon, or you could just cut a square or rectangle. Then paint it, decorate it with WELCOME or last name BOUTWELLS some flower or graphic design you like. The flat part is the bottom and the curve is the top unless you go square or rectangle and you can figure out from there. 2 small cup hooks close to the same spot as your melon and 2 open chain about 6 inches long. Mount your design on the house and hang the melon with the chains. Very cute summertime decoration. I have Santa’s, witches, bunnies, 4 leaf clover, pot of gold, fall leaves, tulips and a Bronco helmet to decorate for the seasons. If you have no idea what Im talking about I can email a pic of mine..
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 9:40 pm
  
  Thanks for the idea Ario! One of my friends made a watermelon door decoration out of plywood last summer, and my husband and I were actually laughing that if she’d waited a year, I could have given her this one!
Rhonda March 3, 2015 at 8:55 pm

take a rectangle piece of wood for the back and put the watermelon slice as the bottom of a shelf. Put a candle or a mason jar with candle and make a sconce. And of course paint it!
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 9:40 pm
  
  Haha, thanks for the suggestion Rhonda 🙂
Heather @ Queen of Everything March 3, 2015 at 9:56 pm

Oh, I love the frog and the ring dish! I can’t wait to see your tutorial on how you made it 🙂

On the watermelon… turn it upside down and paint a sun on it!
Heather @ Queen of Everything recently posted…Swap It Like It’s Hot Time!
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 3, 2015 at 11:06 pm
  
  Thank you Heather!! A sun would be a cute idea!
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Jessica @ Decor Adventures March 4, 2015 at 2:59 pm

You did awesome with these! Hmm, watermelon. I’ll have to think on that one too. Very cute makeovers Emily 🙂
Jessica @ Decor Adventures recently posted…Me? A Designer?
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 4, 2015 at 3:18 pm
  
  Thanks Jessica! Yeah, that watermelon… it’s a stumper for sure!
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Jennifer @ Town and Country Living March 4, 2015 at 3:55 pm

The frog looks so cute with his makeover! 🙂
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living recently posted…Bird Prints Vignette with Free Printable
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 4, 2015 at 5:27 pm
  
  Thanks Jennifer 🙂
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Jillian March 7, 2015 at 9:37 am

Who knew you were such a little sculptor! Such a great idea to make a ring holder! I want to make one for my kitchen, I usually end up tossing rings into my measuring cups….recipe for disaster.
Jillian recently posted…Swap It Like It’s Hot
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 7, 2015 at 11:18 am
  
  Haha, thanks Jillian! I’ve completely underestimated my sculpting abilities 😉 I usually take my rings off when I’m washing dishes or baking, and there’s always that moment of panic when I can’t remember where I put them!
Sheri March 7, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Watermelon – Hang it on the wall, add hooks and use as a key holder.
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 7, 2015 at 5:28 pm
  
  Good suggestion, Sheri! It’s the perfect size for a key holder!
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos March 8, 2015 at 1:51 am

Love that frog! ….as for the watermelon, I would paint it and add hooks and make it a jewelry organizer.
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 8, 2015 at 11:19 am
  
  Thanks Jennifer! I’ve been thinking about a jewelry organizer!
Christy @ Our Southern Home March 11, 2015 at 7:31 pm

I was wondering what you were going to do with that frog! Who would have know that it was a musical instrument! Love what you did with your fab finds!
Christy @ Our Southern Home recently posted…Thrift Store Jewelry Hangers
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 12, 2015 at 9:04 am
  
  Thank you Christy! It was a little tricky to work with, but I love the way it turned out!
Katarina March 15, 2015 at 9:06 am

Great work. About the watermelon: I challenged myself before seeing what you did to see what I could come up with first. But it was hard so I scrolled to see what you made. But you were stumped as well. So it made me think some more. Here’s my idea:
I like the half circle shape of the watermelon. I would paint it (white for example) , drill some holes in it and attach small hooks. Then buy a circular mirror(without a frame or bigger if it’s with a frame) that’s about the size of the watermelon. Glue the watermelon on one of the sides of the mirror and you have a jewelry display/mirror to hang up on your wall. So the left half for example would be mirror and the right part the watermelon part with hooks. Hope I explained it somewhat well 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you make!
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 15, 2015 at 2:36 pm
  
  Thanks Katarina! This watermelon has stumped several 😉 I really like your idea of taking a jewelry hanger one step further by attaching a mirror! Very clever!! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
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Jan Elizabeth March 22, 2015 at 3:02 am

This exchange is such a fun idea! An idea for your watermelon: use a jigsaw to cut it into six arches and make one of those wooden rainbow puzzles. They are pretty high-end toys that can be put together in lots of ways.
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 23, 2015 at 1:53 pm
  
  I hadn’t thought of a puzzle, but what a clever idea! Thank you Jan!
brett March 24, 2015 at 1:54 pm

This looks like so much fun! Love the idea of a swap. You had some definite challenges and I’m so impressed with your “after” pieces! The frog gets a good chuckle for the flowers – it’s really cute now! And the ring tray … precious! Thanks for linking up to the Pretty Preppy Party! xx, b @ being-blanca.com
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1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 24, 2015 at 11:47 pm
  
  Thanks Brett! These were a bit tricky, but I like a challenge 😉
Julie @ Life of Bliss March 24, 2015 at 4:03 pm

Great eye on going gold with the frog! I love it!
Julie @ Life of Bliss recently posted…Welcome Home, Spring!
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorMarch 24, 2015 at 11:46 pm
  
  Thank you Julie!
cat September 4, 2015 at 6:25 am

Hi
I know it is verrrry late, but with the half watermelon you could put a hook to hang it [ on the “rind”]
paint the colours of the rainbow …. on the straight side you could attach ribbons in the rainbow colours….
hang as a wind catching mobile…..
What did you make it into in the end?
1. Two Purple Couches Post authorSeptember 4, 2015 at 4:53 pm
  
  That’s a cool idea, Cat! I still haven’t made it over yet, but I’m planning to paint one of our local Cincinnati landmarks on it that has a similar domed shape.
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