Tick Tock Transformation
June 19, 2009
It’s a strange thing. When I first started “thrifting” I was able to browse leisurely with just a few other patrons. Yet the other day, I couldn’t find a parking spot at the local Goodwill.
Perhaps this speaks to the state of our economy, or the opening of other’s eyes to the treasures that await at the local thrift. Better still, perhaps this is part of a growing movement to repurpose and revamp what already exists, without resorting to buying something new.
Despite the growing shoppers at the Goodwill, I did find a fabulous highboy dresser that I’ll be redoing for my entryway.
And I also found the TACKIEST oversized octagon clock for $10 with brass detailing and just had to give it a CG makeover.
Disclaimer: The final product may not be your favorite, or even your style, but the point is to “thrift outside the box”. Happy hunting, friends.
Here it is BEFORE in my garage:
And AFTER:
I spray painted it with our favorite, Rustoleum’s Heirloom White.
I carefully pried off the brass detailing with a screwdriver. Then I removed the leftover adhesive goo with a razor blade, and some “Goof Off”.
I dismantled the clock face, and painted the hands:
I used my Cricut machine to create new vinyl numbers for the face.
Here is the clock face before and after the new numbers:
And yes, this clock actually works !
I must tell you, it is nearly impossible to photograph mirrored decor, because in my case, it is always reflecting the mess in the background. And there tend to be many messes in the CG household. Well, I had made my bed, so I propped it up in my master, just to show you the detail. I have plans to hang it in my office opposite the window, when that space is complete.
_______________________________
Finally, I have this wonderful gift assortment to giveaway from my visit to the Lavender Bee Farm, a $60 value. Basket not included. These all natural products include:
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Linen napkins with embroidered lavender detail
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Satin beaded sachet of fresh lavender buds
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Lavender hydrosol linen water
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Bee Bar (beeswax and olive oil) for elbows, heels and rough spots
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Tin of lavender & sea salt culinary blend
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Fresh sprigs of Provence lavender, cut this week
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One dozen lavender recipes, including salad dressings, desserts, and savory dishes
-
Jar of all natural honey
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Sonoma County Farm Trails booklet
To be eligible, simply leave a kind comment ! The winner will be chosen by Random.org. Giveaway ends Sunday Jue 14th at 8 p.m. PST.
Happy Father’s Day Weekend !
Tags: mirror
It really is amazing, you can turn the ugliest of froggy clocks into princly time pieces!
(I'm sorry if I have offended any frogs lovers, I think they're quite cute myself!)
Just discovered your blog a few weeks ago and you are now my favorite of my favorites! thanks for all the inspirational ideas…i've even dragged my boyfriend over to the computer to show him some of your ideas i would like to try.
While I do think the economy has an impact on "thrift store" shopping, I think a lot of us are reading blogs like yours and are getting bitten by the bug! I look forward to your posts and love seeing the things that you transform/create. While the clock would not work in my decor, I love the transformation of something that was pretty darn ugly to something beautiful, sleek and new!
You are so talented with makeovers. When I first started reading this article, I was sure I wouldn't like that clock, no matter what you did to it. I love it. I also love lavender and baskets. Hope I win.
Ok, I've learned to hone my eye for potentially fabulous furniture. But I never, repeat NEVER would have seen the potential in that clock. I'm just amazed what you DIY pros can do! I just love it.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kristin
Kristinkay81 {AT} yahoo {DOT} com
Lavender for the summer – perfect!
texmvp03@att.net
I found your blog recently and I am hooked! Thanks so much for all the great information you give us!
Christina L.
savincoupons@hotmail.com
I love your blog and check it daily. I am always curious to see what are you transforming each day. I wish I had even an ounce of your creativity! Thanks for sharing and for the inspirations.
-Jenna W
that is quite a makeover for the clock, all your ideas are very inspiring
Terrifying to Terrific! Your transformative powers are amazing! Who knew under that tacky peice of junk was a super hip mirror! Thank you for blogging!
I love the transformation, it turned out great.
Lavender….mmmmmmmmm.
I am amazed at your transformative skills! I just don't have the eyes to see the possibilities for these things, but I am slowly learning!
Wow what a great transformation on the clock. I love when I am able to transform something that was not appealing into something that I can use and actually like. Thanks for sharing.
I cannot wait to see the highboy!
jennifer@jandbsmith.com
Your eye for "what could this become?" is amazing! I've been telling people all about this blog in the short time since I came across it. Even as my husband and I were walking past a thrift store window last weekend I said "Ya know, Centsational Girl would be turning THAT into something amazing!"
mary_phelan@verizon.net
you have quite the touch, great job! You have opened my eyes to many possibilities and I have a Goodwill just down the street.
wow! I thought how is she going to turn that ugly thing into something beautiful…and of course, you did. Lovely!
Loved your clock transformation. You have an eye for seeing potential in stuff I would just pass by. I wish I could be so creative! I loved your lavender bee farm post too. Looks like you had a great time!
'it is so true! Stopped by one of my favorite thrift shops this morning and darn if it didn't look like Target inside! So many people browsing!
Love the clock redo btw!
I'm loving your mirror re-do! Really, you see potential in everything! I'd also really love to win the basket of lavender. It's one of my most favorite fragrances.
I just love your blog, I have to read it everyday to see what awesome thing you have transformed. But I have to tell you I would never have thought of that clock, Nope, never you are very very creative. What an imagination you have. Love the clock
love the Lavender
Love your blog!!!!
deezie
deeziesunshine@aol.com
I've recently started reading your blog and I enjoy your thrifty decorating ideas. When I saw that clock, I couldn't imagine what would make it look good, but you did! :)
Blessings!
Melissa
Would love to win the basket of goodies….BTW looove your blog!!!!
gladys_appleton@yahoo.com
Love your blog…you have some inspiring ideas! And basketful of goodies would be delightful!
rschnizler@henrico.lib.va.us
Hi Kate! Love your blog and all your wonderful ideas. Loved your post on your visit to the Lavender Bee Farm. Thank you for giving us fun tours that we probably will not be able to do ourselves. Very educational!!
Nikki
Very creative clock makeover. And what a generous giveaway. I can almost smell it from here.
Love it!!!!
Cutey McCutester.
lavender is my absolute favorite! thanks for the chance! ursula at uswood1@optonline.net
Fabulous makeover. I love how you think outside the box and challenge others to do so as well!
Happy father's day~!
(gosh, what you did to that clock—i don't think i can do that! amazing!)
katch05 at gmail dot com
Ooh … that lavender farm looked FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing!
Would love to be entered!! :D
I cannot find American Accents paint ANYWHERE! I've searched Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, etc. Any suggestions???
Wow! What a great giveaway. Sign me up. LOVE the clock!! My style for sure.
You really do have an eye for turning trash to treasure. I love goodwill stores as well and I can't go by one without stopping and checking it out…drives my kids crazy!
Amazing redesign!
Incredible clock makeover! I love it.
That's a great transformation for the clock!
I love lavender as well :)
Sarah
This is a FABULOUS transformation! :)
You are so inspirational. I love how you find the most random "junk" and turn it into something that people would pay a fortune for. Simply amazing.
Hello! I just stumbled across your blog and love all the things you've done.
Another giveaway – I smell a win or is that lavendar?
Your site has inspired me to renovate a very old, very weather-worn cabinet I have. I bought my first can of polyurethane because of you! Love your blog!
You never cease to amaze me with your transformations and I am coveting your machine! LOL! Count me in!
Hi Kate!
What a suuuuper treat to see your giveaway!!! All natural, purple, and non-toxic to boot! Just my style. Same as your crafts. I have to say, I was uber impressed you were confident enough to take a screw driver to a mirror (over 12 times, no less) to get those numbers off! Way to go-you continue to inspire me. I am, however, itching to see that highboy in the before state right off the truck. Do show! (Even if you have not yet got to it…it builds the suspense!). Thanks again for showing all of your creative endeavors, and I love what you wrote about having messes around. I can relate!
Great job, the clock is mod fab!
~Holisticgal Jen
holisticgal22@aol.com
Love the transformation! And the relection in the clock mirror isn't messy at all–looks like it could be featured in any decorating magazine.
I love love love your blog!
Your blog is the best! So inspiring and I just love what you do with the tacky brass. You make it look so new and fresh!
I have been looking for a cool second-hand clock. I'll have to consider remaking one. Hmm…
I love visiting your blog. You inspire me to look beyond my own visions and think "outside" the box. I would have passed by the tacky mirrored clock, shuddering because my parents had one in the 70's. You have made it beautiful and functional.
Love the clock re-do, I just may need to steal that idea. Thanks for the chance on the giveaway, love me that lavender.
OOoooh! I am addicted to large clocks and this one is beautiful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I win. :o)
It just goes to show that even the most hopeless looking item should be studied for possible redemption! I really didn't believe you would be able to transform that ugly thing into something so classy and beautiful. Good job!
I love your blog and the beautiful inspirations you create
thanks
Sabrina
What a great ideA
|!]
(my dog was so impressed he had to comment, too)
Seriously, I would have just passed by that clock without a second glance. My husband and I just finised a project that I'm really excited about – here's a b/a picture: http://twitpic.com/7kd2h
Beautiful transformation of that mirror…you are an inspiration!
What a great job on the clock…I'm not sure if I'd have seen that 'vision' in it…and oh, lavender…yummy. I could marinate in the stuff…oh wait, I do! Whenever possible!
Just found your blog recently. Love it. Love bees (and their products) and lavender, too.
Barbara
Hello Centstional girl! Don't even remember how I found your blog – u know how that is – but I'm lovin' it! Thanks for sharing all the inspiration!!
What a great idea! I'm pretty good with seeing something and thinking what else it could be. The problem comes in when I try to think how ;)
I have really enjoyed reading your blog and have been so inspired! After reading an idea here, I get almost desperate to get to the Goodwill to see what I can find – you take thrift store shopping to another level.
LOVE how you take "le gar-bajjjj" and turn it into treasure:-) -mmz
Kate,
I love your blog & i've recommended it to a few of my girl friends! Also, lavender is one of my favorite scents!
Keep up the great work I alway love your DIY's!
Wow, Awesome job on the clock. I would not have seen the possibility there. My Goodwill is overpriced on most things worth scooping up, every once in a while I find a treasure. Thanks for all your great tips!
WELL, i LOVE YOUR BLOG.. i LOVE THRIFTING TOO.. i FIND SO MANY COOL THINGS.. i LOVE THE TRANSFORMATIONS YOU MADE.. i THINK i AM LATE FOR THE GIVEAWAY BUT, THAT IS O.K.. i WILL RETURN.
The revamped clock is actually very cool. The pic in your master makes it look very chic with the chandelier reflected in it.
It just goes to show that with a little imagination almost anything can be improved:>) I just found your blog and love it! I may be here all night catching up.
Wow! This is such a great diy! Thanks for the step by step. I had to add you to our link luv roundup again :) Come take a peek:
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2009/06/link-luv-roundup_24.html
I was sitting here wondering HOW in the world is she going to make over that clock??? No way will it look cute…but I was SOOOO wrong! I love it you did a great job. I have to start think outside the box….maybe if I keep reading your blog it will help me!
Wow. Way to modernize the mirror. Most people would have sent that to a corner to be yard saled but you pulled it off nicely