Alice from Thoughts From Alice asked if I’d like to participate in a challenge making over a holiday item from the thrift store. Since thrift store is my middle name,
I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
I found these 4 matching deer ornaments at my local thrift shop for $3.99.
I thought they were pretty cute as is, but decided to dress them up a bit.
I bought 4 of these unfinished wooden shield plaques from Joanne Fabrics, along with some vintage looking floral scrapbooking papers.
The first step was to cut the paper to fit the tops of the plaques. I did this by flipping the plaques over and tracing around them with pencil onto the paper and cutting out.
Modge podge them onto the plaques.
Any excess paper can be sanded off.
This step also helps create a worn vintage look.
Drill holes through the tops of each one so you can hang them as ornaments on your tree.
They should look like this at this point.
The next step is to age them. I used Annie Sloan dark wax and a rag, but you can also use stain.
Go over the outside edges and smudge it onto the paper a bit as well.
Let dry.
Before and after the dark wax.
Use ribbon, or twine to tie a bow.
I used liquid nails to attach the deer to the center of each plaque and let them dry overnight.
I love how they turned out.
I wish there was more than four!
I hung them on my tree in our dining room.
This tree is new to me this year too.
It’s a narrow frosted frazier fir from Balsam Hill.
I’ve always wanted a frosted tree and this one looks so real!
Don’t forget to check out everyone else’s thrift shop makeovers:
Glam Christmas Throw Pillows by Thoughts from Alice
A Deer Thrift Store Makeover by Ciburbanity
Ugly Ducklings (Thrifted Sweater Stockings) by Maison de Pax
A Deerly Beloved Thrift Store Vignette by Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Deer Mount Advent Calendar by Primitive & Proper
{Vintage Cookie Tin} Cake Centerpieces by Little Farmstead
DIY Embroidery Hoop Wall Hanging: Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by Simple Stylings
DIY Christmas Decorations from Thrifted Books by T-Shirt & Jeans
Christmas Cloche by Craftberry Bush
A Vintage Mantel for Winter by Finding Silver Pennies
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Christmas Chalkboard Globe by Heart Rocks in My Pocket
Thrifty DIY Part One: Faux Fur Throw Rug by Creating Vintage Charm
DIY Holiday Walling Hanging by House of Hipsters
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Modern Christmas Village by Number Fifty-Three
Christmas Decor from Thrifty Find by Town and Country Living
The Trellis Tree by Cozy Little House
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge Blog Hop by Shabby Love
DIY Centerpiece Tray by Cherished Bliss
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired
A Merry Thriftmas Challenge: Re-purposed Holiday Tablescape by Home Remedies
Light Fixture Update – a Thrift Store Challenge by Nest of Posies
Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Simple Christmas Decorations by Two Purple Couches
Rustic Christmas Tree by Delineate Your Dwelling
Oh Deer, It’s a Holiday Thrift Shop Challenge by My Sweet Savannah
Simple Elegant Winter Vignette | Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by Cloth and Patina
DIY Shabby Chic Picture Frame365 Days of Crafts
DIY 3D Christmas Star Wreath – Holiday Thrift Store Challenge by The Chronicles of Home
DIY Crocks by So Much Better With Age
Simple Holiday Vignette | A Thrift Store Challenge by Restoration House Interiors
Thrift Store Christmas Decor Challenge by BrocanteuseRose
xoxo
The Yellow Cape Cod says
Oh my goodness. I LOVE these! You are so good.
Minna says
Oh deer, they really are pretty!!
Kamilla says
Great idea, you did awesome job!!! I love it!
shabbyfufu says
Love!
Little Farmstead says
They look great!! love the "age" you added to them…
Alice Wingerden says
I love every single detail of these…how you aged them with the sanding and wax and the papers that you chose! They are absolutely perfect! Thank you for joining me in the challenge!
Cassie Bustamante says
these are just plain awesome! love the papered backing!
Unknown says
Wowie, wow, WOW. These are so amazing. LOVE!
DD's Cottage says
Love these-brilliant idea!
~ rooms FOR rent ~ says
OH MY GOSH Melanie!!! You never ceases to amaze me!!! Seriously these are fantastic!!!! I love love love them!! XO , Bre
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says
love love love!!
Danielle says
So adorable!
SerendipityRefined says
Love them! I need a better thrift store!
Karen says
They are so beautiful! I want to make them too. The papers and deer together is just gorgeous.
Unknown says
I'm curious to where you found the bell garland? It's fantastic!!
angie says
danke für die inspirationen!!! einen schönen freitag wünscht angie
Anonymous says
Can I ask which Thrift store?
Amy@HomeRemedies says
These are the cutest ornaments – so original and unique! The papers you used add the perfect vintage touch!
Bethany~FurnishMyWay says
I absolutely love how they turned out! The antiquing process was genius! The tip for sandpapering the extra paper off created the perfect look. If I every stumble across the perfect ornaments, I will keep this in mind!
Restoration House Interiors says
Love this Melaine! So creative and loving that tree! xo
Restoration House Interiors says
Love this Melaine! So creative and loving that tree! xo
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
WOW! THese are so awesome! Pinning immediately! They look like something Anthropologie would sell!
Acorn to Oak says
Great idea! Super cute!
Brenda Pruitt says
Super cute! I love that you used decoupage in your project. It's one of my favorite crafts. This was really looking outside of the box, and all around it!
Brenda
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Super cute idea! Sometimes I'm creeped by deer heads but these don't freak me out at all 😉
Jessica | Petal + Ply says
They turned out so pretty! love the floral paper backings!
Curtains in My Tree says
what a great project
Tammy...ClothandPatina says
These are absolutely perfect, every last little detail! Love that you added the mix of papers to the backs, made them all the more charming! Thinking I will have to create a few of these this year. Thanks so much for sharing!
Tammy
Anonymous says
You win the challenge in my book! I never thought of antiquing the paper!
WhiteWhispers2u says
They looks fabulous ! Great Job and I agree to bad there weren't more.
mjmaterazo says
love these! you did a great job. tfs. happy thanksgiving! mj
Lisa @ 2Perfection Decor says
Great Idea!! Could even make a cute wall collage..Looks amazing on your tree.
Lisa
Nicki says
These are unbelievable! As I scrolled through the tutorial, I kept thinking it would end because each step looked great, but it just got better and better. So clever-I love it. Tweeting 🙂
Tania Pelletier says
Those are adorable! What a Great idea!
Tania
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Cynthia says
You are so creative!!! love them all!!!
Noble Vintage says
Love this. I have a little deer head mount that I painted all white, but have been wanting to change up- this is a great idea! 🙂
niki says
I love these. They might be my favorite thing in the hop.
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson says
The added plaque just finished them off. I love the papers you used and they look fabulous on the tree!
hugs,
Jann
Unknown says
This is SO great Melaine! I love them mounted on the plaques! Gorgeous!
Karen says
Melanie,
Wow, what a great thrift store beauty. I love these.
Karen
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says
So cute! They look like their from Anthropologie!
Anonymous says
The BEST challenge by far!
Charlotte says
Your makeover is SO much sweeter and lovelier than the plain ol' deer heads. Also? Turns out deer are all the rage this holiday season. 😉 xxCharlotte
Unknown says
The Christmas tree is very beautiful, that frozen brunches are so interesting. Deers look great!
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Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
Oh my goodness!!! LOVE how you transformed these!!
Unknown says
nice
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