Recycle/Repurpose

Unfortunately, my Great Aunt passed away early last year.  I was really hoping she'd get to meet Katherine, but their paths were not destined to cross.  In Auntie's honor,  Katherine does share the same middle name, Victoria.

Auntie taught our family a lot of things; how to make Polish kielbasa, our love of a bargain, and our compulsive saving (of everything, money, sheets, toilet rolls, newspaper bags).  In her mind, everything could be reused, repurposed or recycled.  We played 'the game' on birthdays and most of the prizes would be wrapped and disguised in empty toilet paper rolls, newspaper bags, christmas wrapping paper and brown paper bags.  She was 92 when she passed and over those 92 years she collected a lot of stuff.  When we were going through her house to get it ready to sell, we found some pretty cool (and funny and really awkward) things. One of which was this cool wooden box.

I have transformed this wooden box, which our best guess was a old tool box, into a flower vase.  With some sand paper and wide mouth mason jars, it took no time to spruce it up.  It looks great behind my kitchen sink, filled with flowers or fresh herbs!  I may spray it with a coat of waterproofing spray paint, since it's sitting behind my sink.

I am looking forward to repurposing some other things I found and having small reminders of Auntie spread throughout my house. 

UPDATE: I repurposed the box again but this time I am in love with it! I painted it blue and glued a silver painted "Dream" wooden sign (from Michael's) on it.  Added some Green and White Hydrangeas (one of my favs) and moved it to my foyer! I love seeing it when I walk down the stairs now.  While I was painting it outside, the sun was heating up the wood and I could smell Auntie's house again and I knew she'd be proud that I repurposed this into something beautiful.