Upcycled Mail Sorter

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There it sat on Marketplace for $5 - taunting me!  This little gem stepped right out of the '70's and onto my computer screen.  It needed a new life and I was ready to provide it!
Welcome to the 'Do It Over' Designers blog hop. We are a group of bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY.  This time we are sharing all things 'wood'.  I'm happy to host this hop and I hope you'll visit everyone to see what they have to share with you.  Their links will be listed at the end of this post.

Now, let's talk about this Marketplace find!
To say this mail sorter was humble would be an understatement.  Check out those GIANT knots in the wood.
The first step in giving it a makeover was to take it apart.
There were numerous holes, dents, and scratches.  There was also a fair amount of dirt. YUCK!
I hoped to keep the cute little box attached until I noticed that it wasn't centered.
Off with its head!...I mean, time to remove it!
Since there were so many holes, dents, scratches, etc. I decided the new look would be a bit rustic or shabby.  I filled as many of the imperfections as I could with wood filler, sanded, and gave it 2 coats of spray paint/primer that was sitting on my shelf. 
Honestly, it looked better already.
Then both pieces were given 2 coats of white chalk paint.  
The edges were distressed with a sanding sponge.
I discovered some of those edges were a little light in color for my taste, so I touched them up with a little antiquing medium.
Problem solved!
Everything was waxed and before I went any further, I attached a sawtooth hanger to the back.
I also reattached that cute little box to the bottom with nails and completely forgot to take a picture!  Oops!
The next step was to create the sign.  I used some Bass Wood and cut it to size with a utility knife.
Then it was 'stained' with some antiquing medium on a rag.
Chalk paint went right over it.
I designed my graphic on Design Space and cut it with my Maker using stencil vinyl.
Using a stencil brush and craft paint, it started to take shape.  
If you've been visiting the Cottage for a while, you know my trick to stenciling with no bleeding - dry-brush the first coat.  I then gave it 2 more coats and peeled-off the stencil.
Love those crisp edges!
Time to distress the edges of the sign, and guess what?  The wood was too light!  So I added some antiquing medium to darken the edges.  
Yes, I used my finger - I can be a messy crafter!
Much better!
Time to wax - and I noticed something.  The wax removed a little of the black craft paint.  I liked it!
Some wood glue attached it to the (former) mail sorter and I used some hammered nail stick-ons to finish the look.  
The transformation was complete.  Time to decorate!
I chose red geraniums for 3 reasons:
1. I wanted a real 'pop' of color.
2. They've been in my stash for several years.
3.  I have a dear friend who LOVES red - this one's for her! 

The lesson to be learned today is - Never pass up something that is outdated, ugly, and dirty.  Look past those negatives and make it into something pretty!  


Before you run off, don't forget this is a blog hop and the rest of the team has some amazing upcycle/recycle/did-it-over projects to share with you.  The links are all listed below:

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Little Vintage Cottage

Modern on Monticello

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers

Unique Creations by Anita

Sum of Their Stories

Tea and Forget-Me-Nots

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather

Color Me Thrifty

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Comments

  1. Kim May 27, 2023 at 7:34 AM

    Ann, it's just perfect! Thanks for the stenciling tip, too. I hate fuzzy stencil lines. I'm also intrigued by your stencil machine. I don't have one and every year I think hmmm, maybe I need one. Maybe this year I really do!! Thanks for hosting...this was a fun one. I really enjoyed the theme!! Happy Weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 7:55 PM

      Thank you, Kim. I use this technique every time and it never fails me. As for the Cricut Maker, I love it. There are SO many wonderful projects you can do with it!

      Delete
  2. Patti @ Pandoras BoxMay 27, 2023 at 8:24 AM

    Cute project/makeover! Thanks for hosting this hop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 7:56 PM

      Thanks, Patti. This hop is always a pleasure to host!

      Delete
  3. Birdz of a FeatherMay 27, 2023 at 8:59 AM

    What an amazing vision you had for this piece and it looks stunning now! Love how the wax aged the wording. Thanks for hosting; can't wait to hear what our theme is for next time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 7:58 PM

      The wax was a pleasant surprise. It fit right in with my vision for the piece! Always a pleasure to host!

      Delete
  4. Tania PelletierMay 27, 2023 at 9:53 AM

    Very cute! I'm not sure I would have seen a super cute flower box in that old mail sorter but your vision turned out beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 7:57 PM

      This one told me right away what it wanted to be. I just love projects like that!

      Delete
  5. Gail @Purple Hues and MeMay 27, 2023 at 10:40 AM

    This is beautiful, Ann! And what a transformation! From mail sorter to flower box! You certainly had your thinking cap on when you "did over" this one! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 8:00 PM

      Thank you, Gail. In all honesty, the mail sorter did all the work....I knew exactly what it would become as soon as I saw it!

      Delete
  6. Sum of their StoriesMay 27, 2023 at 10:44 AM

    You really did see the potential in this sad looking mail sorter. It is SO pretty now, the white paint with those vibrant red geraniums is just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 8:02 PM

      It really was sad, wasn't it? I'm so happy it has a new life now!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMay 27, 2023 at 11:23 AM

    This is just beautiful! I'd love to have this in my home. In fact I have a similar thing that I haven't touched yet because I didn't know you could dismantle it... time to investigate! Lovely work!

    Rachel - Tea and Forget-me-nots

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 27, 2023 at 8:02 PM

      Thank you, Rachel. By all means, take yours apart. The potential is just waiting!

      Delete
  8. Tuula @ Color Me ThriftyMay 27, 2023 at 11:46 PM

    That is one amazing transformation Ann! You totally gave that old mail sorter a new lease on life. I love it as a flower box, and the geraniums are perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 28, 2023 at 4:10 PM

      Thank you, Tuula. It really needed all the help it could get!

      Delete
  9. Unique creations by AnitaMay 28, 2023 at 5:20 AM

    Awesome makeover! Those mail racks are easy to find now people don't really get lots of mail any more. You vision to see beyond the rack rack is great. I will buy one next time i see one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 28, 2023 at 4:11 PM

      Thank you, Anita. They are showing up more and more. I hope you find one soon!

      Delete
  10. Lydia C. LeeMay 28, 2023 at 5:02 PM

    THat's really beautiful. I want to try that! #YourMoment

    ReplyDelete
  11. Donna @ Modern on MonticelloMay 30, 2023 at 2:26 PM

    Beautiful makeover Ann. I usually pass on similar items at the thrift store because I never know what to make out of them. This is a such a lovely idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 30, 2023 at 8:20 PM

      I tend to do the same thing, Donna, but once in a while, this happens!

      Delete
  12. Allyson @ Southern SunflowersMay 30, 2023 at 6:20 PM

    Wow, what a great makeover ~ perfection! I like the extra touch of adding the hammered nail heads.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kristin - The Fifth Sparrow No MoreMay 31, 2023 at 10:07 AM

    Your post is so wonderful! I was super inspired by your creativity. I would love to invite you to link up your project at Whimsy Home Wednesdays to inspire others and have a chance to be featured https://fifthsparrownomore.com/whimsy-home-wednesday-blog-link-party-no-32/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMay 31, 2023 at 7:27 PM

      Thanks, Kristin. I've already linked-up and I'm looking forward to visiting a few others!

      Delete
  14. Joanne June 2, 2023 at 5:38 AM

    That is LOVELY!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!June 3, 2023 at 6:23 PM

    Beautiful make over! Thank you for sharing with SSPS, we appreciate it! Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Laurie CoverJune 3, 2023 at 9:36 PM

    I love it.
    I would never have seen this when looking at the original mail sorter. You’ve got some good imagination!

    It looks really fresh!
    Thank you for sharing this post at the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop 62!

    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 4, 2023 at 8:20 AM

      Thank you, Laurie. It was fun making it into something new!

      Delete
  17. Vintage Style GalJune 4, 2023 at 2:09 PM

    What a wonderful makeover Ann! The new look is like it was always meant to be. I need to follow your stenciling tips, and I enjoy being a messy crafter too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 4, 2023 at 7:34 PM

      My stenciling technique works every time! Messy and crafting go hand-in-hand, right??

      Delete
  18. Linda @ Life and LindaJune 4, 2023 at 3:00 PM

    Very cute flower box. So fun to see your creative skills. Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jennifer WiseJune 5, 2023 at 10:29 AM

    How clever! It's beautiful. Pinning! :) Visiting from Grace at Home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 5, 2023 at 7:16 PM

      Thank you for the pin, Jennifer. I appreciated it!

      Delete
  20. Carol, The Answer Is ChocolateJune 8, 2023 at 12:17 PM

    EXCELLENT find and makeover! Featuring when my link party opens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 8, 2023 at 1:23 PM

      Thank you so much, Carol. This was a fun one!

      Delete
  21. Cindy@CountyRoad407June 8, 2023 at 3:33 PM

    Such a fantastic idea! I would have never thought to do this. I need to carry you around in my pocket and whip you out every time I see something and have no clue what to do with. Thank you for linking this on Farmhouse Friday. I'm featuring it tomorrow. pinned

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 17, 2023 at 7:13 PM

      Thank you, Cindy. I don't think I'm pocket-sized, but I can send you my number!

      Delete
  22. The Antiqued JourneyJune 23, 2023 at 9:50 AM

    This is such a cute upcycle project! For $5, you can't go wrong. It turned out adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJuly 17, 2023 at 10:10 AM

    Ann,
    I can not even tell you just how much I LOVE this idea!! What an amazing transformation and you can use it for every Holiday!!! I will be on the look out for something I can do this to!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Stay cool!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 17, 2023 at 7:12 PM

      Thank you, Debbie! It's one of my favorites. I hope you find what you're looking for soon!

      Delete

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