October 22, 2012

Tool Caddy Transformation

So, there I was at the last day of an estate sale and I find this great tool caddy in the garage


I don't get it, no one else wanted it?  Maybe it wasn't great?  Sometimes I wonder how there can be neat things left the last day of an estate sale.


Maybe no one saw it?  It was full of old tools and screws and layers of grease


I used a dry brush of homemade chalk paint and then pulled out the vintage rubber stamps I nabbed at auction last year for $11 dollars...Love them


After I stamped I used clear wax and Annie Sloan dark wax


This would be a great tote for crafting or garden supplies


Oh, come on ...Who's the cutest cat...Billie!


I'm going to put this in my booth at Orange Tree and price it at $38..Watch someone will buy this thinking...."Hey this will be great after a good coat of paint!!"

Happy Creating
Carol

49 comments:

mizdarlin said...

You did a wonderful job..but I'm coveting that stamp kit..what a great find!

Marti said...

Wonderful transformation! I wouldn't change a thing.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love it, Carol! Totes have definitely been catching my eye when I'm out ~ thrift store or antique mall.

aarond said...

I would have nabbed that up too. Let's face it some people just don't have the vision as us crazy girls who are always looking for something we can paint. I love it and those stamps are great.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Ha ha! You make me laugh! I would hate to think someone would repaint it after you made it look so wonderful! You antique stamps are great! love your pretty kittie!
Blessings,
Susie

Simply Lokal said...

I love it. "Heaven forbid" as my Grandmother would say if anyone would paint over that transformation! :) - Revis

Createology said...

Another fabulous find and transformation. I have been wanting some of these but Mr. C won't make me any. He says I know where the tools are! Billie is beautiful...

Darlene said...

You did a wonderful transformation of the tool caddy. I love it! take care, Darlene

Pat C. said...

Yikes! The caddy is hardly recognizable after your amazing transformation! I can also see it used to hold little bunches of flowers in clear glass jars, perhaps intermingled with pots of ivy.: )

I love the stamp set, too--the font gives the lettering a vintage stencil feel... gorgeous!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

those are beautiful stamps!! You do what you do so well, (I know I have said that before), I just joined as a follower AGAIN, I have started a new blog and I have started from scratch, I wasn't going to but I missed everyone!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I love to find old tool caddies and re-paint them. I wouldn't be re-painting yours, though! It's perfect now!!!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Isn't it interesting how people react. Was at a show and one booth had some wonderful vintage items, a lady looked at me, sniffed and said "that is all stuff we'd throw out!"
I was thinking, geee wish I could be there to pick your trash :)
BUT I don't think anyone would want to paint over one of your treasures

fixitfaerie said...

Love the way you finished your tool caddy. And, also, all the pretties you put in the slots. Nice work. Blessings Paula

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

LOL - well I sure hope no one would paint over that but that's a funny thought! Always amazes me what people pass by at sales -- their loss, definitely your gain! Love those stamps you used too.

Connie said...

Sweetie pie, I think someone will buy it right a way and not change it one tiny bit . . . after all it is pure perfection :)

Gina said...

I bet someone would have snatched it up from the estate sale had they known how fabulous it could look! You did an amazing job.

Jamie @ Domestically Vintage said...

I love your caddy! You made it just beautiful with the paint, wax, and stamps! I can't believe no one else grabbed it right away. Have a great day! ~ Jamie

Anonymous said...

Love all the cubbies in that great caddy Carol! Great job with the transformation!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Ha! ha ha ...Carol.
You think like me.
watch someone buy this thinking it would be good after a coat of paint...hilarious, for sure.
I love those rubber stamps!

great work.

hope is sells! and quick...Pat

Shabby chic Sandy said...

So pretty--and I am loving that kitty. Looks just like my kitty (Osh Kosh) that I had years ago. Your comment makes me laugh--I was looking at a table at a booth that was all shabby chippy...really well done..and My Mom said she thought it was kind of expensive considering I would have to sand it down and refinish it :)

Debbie said...

Oh no they won't! They couldn't possibly want to change a thing. It looks perfect. I dug a similar tool box out of the Duchess's utility building, but I kept it natural for fall. Now, I'm trying to dig up another one to make it look more like that.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Wow, great transformation! How COULD they leave it behind???? :0)

Maureen Wyatt said...

The vintage stamps make the caddy even more special! Can you let me know how to order your 3 sheets of waterslide decals to be shipped to Canada? ~ Maureen

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Can't imagine anyone being so silly as to repaint that!! Doesn't Everyone just love shabby chic?? I surely do!

Marilyn said...

Sweet save.♥♫

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Wow! It gorgeous now Carol! Such a lucky find.

Unknown said...

Goodness, this is absolutely beautiful! :D

Hugs,

chateaudelille said...

That is just so cool!Im saving this idea for a rainy day. Fiona

Debbiedoos said...

:) Fabulous, I would have scored that right up Carol! It would look so cute with all kind of Holiday displays too.

Nancy said...

Well Billy may be the cutest, but his Mom has to be the Craftiest Woman I know, not idea thrower but Idea Queen!!

All is good here, Holiday Preview is over & was great. Now I am on Vacation this week~searching for horizontal spaces in this house~in other words cleaning & organizing! How is the Bride doing?

Huggs, Nancy

Celestina Marie said...

Carol what a great find. Perfect for being organized in a chic way.
Bille is indeed the cutest!!
Happy Tuesday!
XO Celestina Marie

Little Miss Maggie said...

I never met a tool caddy I didn't love either. This is a great transformation, Carol, and I love all the things you put in it too.

Darlene said...

I was chuckling that no one wanted this originally. I bet they do now. I must admit, I probably passed by similar things. You have trained me to see beyond the surface and look for the potential. Am I getting philosophical? (smile).

Day before Michelle said...

I seriously need to start hitting some estate sales!!

Great find, and awesome makeover :)

Gypsy Heart said...

I think it looks awesome!

xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

I think it looks awesome!

xo
Pat

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of people just don't "get" these old things like we bloggers do. My Dad has several of these tool caddies, including one he made and one that was his father's. I think he thought I was crazy when I asked if I could empty the old nails he had in one so I could use it in the house.

I'm sure someone will love your updated tool caddy in their home. I know I would!

The Pink Geranium or Jan's Place said...

Amazing what you did with this...hmmm I have one in my garage that I was waiting for an inspiration for, I think you provided it to me!

My daughter says she always goes to the garage first, because people just don't really look there.

Please come visit my new blog,dedicated to vintage and ere-purpose.

Jan @ The Pink Geranium :)

hopeandjoyhome said...

Gorgeous! I have that same stamp set! I got it and one with several smaller fonts at an antique shop a few years back and would never part with either! Mine has the name Jacob stamped under the lid.. the former sign maker/owner!

Maki said...

How lucky that no one else saw the potential in this treasure!
Hope it sells quickly to a customer that loves it as much as we do just the way you have transformed it.
It's just wonderful. I can think of
many ways to use it!
Have a good week.

Chenille Cottage said...

What a find...and, how I love the pretty new face you have given it. Could it be that it came all the way from France???
I have a tool box that is a thrift store rescue and I have yet to give it any TLC. It's still plain old wood without a personality.
Thank you for another delightful inspiration, Carol.
You are brilliant!
Blessings,
Carolynn xo

Pam said...

Carol, the reason you are the one to get so lucky is because you saw the potential with your oh so clever inspiring self! I love what you did to the crate and looks so "French"! xo's Pam

ByLightOfMoon said...

Just Beautiful! I'll bet it is already Sold!

Smiles, Cyndi

Musings From A French Cottage said...

Your tool caddy is amazing! I know exactly what you mean about things left at the end of a sale. I often wonder too - "how did this not go home with someone?" I just figure that it was meant for me to find ;)

Beautiful transformation!

Blessings,
Kathleen

Angela said...

You made me laugh! I don't think anybody will paint it after you.
They will fight to get their hands on it first.
I love what you did with it.
Perfect to take craft supplies to an other room.
ps.Your cat IS the cutest!
Hugs,
Angela.

Unknown said...

LOVE the transformation. All the little bits and bobs you've filled it with are 2die4!
You cat is ADORABLE!!!
xo
Roselle

Rebecca Nelson said...

Well I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT! LOVE IT GIRLFRIEND!

You know....I see the same thing! Some things just sit there and I wonder HOW COME! Maybe not enough vision!????

You inspire us all!

Love, R

Ginger said...

What a great use for a tool box, it is so beautiful.
Ginger

Anonymous said...

I remember when you found that stamp set Carol. I thought it was so fabulous and the font on the the old wood caddy is perfect. I would have snapped that piece up too. I know people probably wonder why I buy old metal rusty cruddy metal tool boxes. :) We know why...don't we? xoxoxo