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Wednesday, September 18, 2024

From Photographs to a Garlic Storage Box!

From the DIY Homemade Household side of the blog! From Photographs to Garlic Storage...and our love of repurposing!




At one time this little box was the centerpiece in someone's living room or den.



Originally manufactured to hold a collection of photographs, it was a tidy, safe and convenient. A place where photos and memories were stored away., but also available by just opening the lid. Inside the box were hanging files made of protective plastic sleeves. Once your photos were in the sleeves, folks could hold the photo as they looked at it, and possible shared a memory. Personally I remember from my own childhood being told (repeatedly!) to stop touching the picture...but there is something that connects us to who is in the photo when we hold it and make a comment. 



We found it at our local thrift store while out and about shopping in town. Personally I like repurposing usable items for another use, and this box was sturdy, clean on the inside and it caught my attention. Plus we needed a Garlic Storage Box for our kitchen pantry.



It was a bit dinged up, a bit dirty and yet...

It was exactly what I had hoped to find, when we started out that morning. One important thing to keep in mind when you are repurposing one item for another use is that you want to be able to use the supplies you already have on hand at  home...this will definitely keep costs down!

Since we already had paint from previous upgrades and repairs, we were good. The idea for my Garlic Storage Box was arrived at almost instantly, due to the condition of the piece. We even used free "clip-art" from the internet with a simple had written personalization using the black sharpie we keep in the kitchen to label and date food before it goes into the freezer!

Let's get started, shall we?


These are the changes that we (and by "we" I mean the royal we where I have the ideas and my husband has the tools!) completed, to get the project finished and ready to use:
  • removed and tossed out, the plastic sleeves
  • glued the sleeve holders into the bottom of the box, for an uneven surface for additional air circulation
  • drill holes on each side of the box, to help with air circulation
  • removed the glass from the top of the lid, and set aside
  • paint the outside, two coats
  • printed a clip-art piece, representing a head of garlic
  • add personal updates to the graphic
  • added the completed graphic
  • cleaned and replaced the glass into the top of the lid
Nothing too difficult, a simple and fun project to complete together. 



The sleeve frames were glued to the inside bottom of the box, creating a built-in rack for the heads of garlic to sit on. There is some spacing between each piece allowing for air circulation so the garlic stays fresh and dry. 



To provide additional air circulation, three holes were drilled on each side of the box.  


Two coats of paint were applied to the outside (only) of the box, allowing time between coats for complete drying of the paint.   



We found and printed a (free clip-art) graphic of a head of garlic, adding a personal touch around the two sides. This graphic was cut to size and set into place. The piece of glass was cleaned and returned to the frame.  



NOTE: we did not paint the inside of the box, it was clean, dry wood and perfect for food storage. 

The only thing left to do was to fill it with garlic!

And now we have our own Garlic Storage Box for storing fresh garlic in our kitchen! 

This post has been updated 09.19.2024





#DIYHomemadeHousehold



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Would you like to comment?

  1. Very cool -- you win the thrift-store challenge in my book!

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  2. I love this! Especially the graphic! Great for garlic lovers!

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  3. Oh my! What a transformation and a creative idea to use as a garlic bow! Welcome to our Thrift Store Challenge, Melynda!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Gail, I am looking forward to using my creativity for more fun projects with Thrift Store Challenge.

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  4. What a great repurpose. I love it when the royal 'we' gets a job done!

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  5. I love your creative upcycle! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's - you are being featured on my blog Tuesday evening.

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  6. Melynda,
    I love your thrift store challenge project. What an awesome idea. The graphic is perfect.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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    Replies
    1. Bev, thanks so much. It was fun, I am on the look-out for the next project...

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  7. Just the perfect garlic keeper! Thanks so much for linking up with me at A Themed Linkup 56 for Crafts and DIY. Pinned!

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  8. CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 57 for All Things Printable from my previous linkup for Crafts and DIY!

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    1. Thank you Dee, I appreciate being featured on Grammy's Grid!

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  9. Visiting again to say thanks so much for linking up at #IMadeItMondayLinkParty 3. Shared.

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    1. Dee thank you for hosting, your posts are always a wonderful place to visit!

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  10. How cute is that?! I love the transformation! And now I think I need a garlic box, too.

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    Replies
    1. Pam, I love it when an idea reaches the end and it turned out as well as the idea started! Thanks for stopping by, I sure appreciate it.

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  11. Omg. Now I need a garlic box. Great upcycle.

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  12. I remember these old photo storage boxes! What a great upcycling idea.

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    1. Joanne, this was such a fun project, I hope to do more of these....thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  13. Wow! This is so clever! It turned out darling. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #47 linkup. Hope to see you sharing more next time at #48, which opens Monday.

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  14. Melynda, this is such a wonderful upcycled project! Your post will be featured tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #57. Congratulations!

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    Replies
    1. Stephanie, thank you so much for the feature, this was a really fun upcycle!

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