Friday, March 19, 2010

Thrifty Theatrics of the Puppet Sort

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm on the planning committee for my son's parochial school's big Spring Fundraising Gala, and I decided to throw my thrifty creativity toward creating some cool and different items for this year's Silent Auction at the event.  The first that I committed to was the Tres Chic Play Kitchen.  Then, this item came my way from someone on FreeCycle.org:


Months ago, I saw Beckie at Infarrantly Creative make an adorable puppet theater from an old hutch/bookshelf thingy. Genius!  I knew right away that this bookshelf headboard would make a fantastic puppet theater.  Knowing that I, myself, have no room whatsoever for anything of the sort in my house, I thought that I could make this for the school's silent auction as well!  I get a project, and the school gets some moola!  Win/win...

It really needed very little structural work in order to make it over into puppet theater form.  I just got a small piece of beadboard cut for the front and nailed that on and removed the back from the top portion.  Like Beckie's, mine was a little top heavy and none-too-steady.  I wouldn't want to crush any little Catholic School kiddo while they were attempting to act out some story for their Grandparents in their living room, so I jig sawed some boards down to an arch shape and attached them to the sides for added stability.

After those minor alterations, all it needed was paint.  I chose Cherry Red from Krylon, which is a really fantastic, deep red.  This was my first time using this color, and I'm a now a huge fan.  After a coat of black glaze, I was in love.  I have to recommend, if you'd like to keep your sanity when working with reds, do yourself a favor and use gray primer.  It makes the job so much easier!  It only took one coat and a touch up here and there after the gray primer.

And if you want a glorious color combination, try paring the Cherry Red with Blue Ocean Breeze, also from Krylon.  I painted the chalk board marquee frame with this fave color (it was leftover from the Turquoise Chair), and it was the perfect accent to the deep red!  I hand-painted the "Presenting" and flourishes, and the marquee is ready to announce the latest production!

I used a little turquoise bucket that I had around and painted on "Puppets" and some flourishes with some red acrylic.  It holds some hand puppets I bought from Amazon for the occasion.

Also made a little curtain out of some vintage fabric that I found at the thrift store, held up with an el-cheapo expansion rod.

Voila!!






Hope you're inspired to start looking at old things in new ways!

Craftily Yours,



This project is competing in the Kid's Craft Challenge at The CSI project!
Visit thecsiproject.com



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25 comments:

  1. I couldn't love it more! That is just fabulous!!!!!! I am really starting to love the turquoise and red paired together and I LOOOOOOOVVEE the Ocean Breeze spray paint! Great job!

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  2. You just never cease to amaze me. I can't believe the stuff you come up with.
    Great job!
    Brooke

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  3. that is amazing!!! i want to try that for my kids. my husband just said it would definitely last longer than the IKEA cardboard one they broke within a week of getting. and it would be so much cuter and more personal! i may be asking you for help- really incredible!!

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  4. Oh my! This is really, really, really great! I just love it, and have already sent the link to several friends!

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  5. Wow! That is so neat. I love the color combination. What a great transformation. I would have never been able to think of that. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Visiting from Funky Junk's SNS.
    Have a great weekend!
    ~Amy

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  6. What?!? This is the most amazing creation I think I've ever laid eyes on. I have to go stare at it again. And again. Better yet, I'll just put you on the SNS sidebar for the entire weekend so I can stare at it there. I love being moderator. :)

    Awesome! So awesome! Thanks for linking up!
    FJ Donna

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  7. Were you able to put this absolutely cute thing in the auction! To inspirational for words. Love it.

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  8. Oh, my kids would LOVE this! Nice job!

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  9. That is so fantastic! They will be blown away at the auction!

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  10. I have to say that is the BEST puppet theatre I've seen. You did a FABULOUS job. I absolutely love the colour choices! Amazing!

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  11. Fabulous! It turned out spectacular!!

    Judy@cutest-little-things

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  12. My 3 year old son would LOVE that! What a fabulous job you did. You must be an awesome mom.

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  13. That is so adorable! I know my parents have a headboard just like that in their attic!

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  14. How fun is that!! I just made one with pressure rods to fit the doorway - this is way better!!

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  15. How great is this! These come up all the time where I live. I'm gonna have to snag one up and do this!

    Fantastic!

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  16. Oh my word...sooooo cute! I love the presenting sign. Very creative.

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  17. Wow! This is incredible. You definitely went above and beyond simple re-purposing with the beadboard and gorgeous paint colors. Love the "Presenting" board as well. I'll be on the lookout for one of these headboards when I'm thrifting now. :)

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  18. I saw the puppet theater on Mustard Seed Creations and I had to see more. You definately think out of the box. I had to become a follower to see what you will come up with next.

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  19. I too love those colors! This project is so cute.

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  20. This is toally AWESOME! What a fun thing for kids to play with!

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  21. This is a fantastic transformation. I just adore the red - perfect color and fabulous finish. and the turquoise is gorgeous! Amazing job - Thanks for sharing. Hope you are enjoying your week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

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We love lovely gals showin' some love!