During the holidays the most delicious cake arrived on our doorstep.
It was a mouthwatering apple spice crumb cake that had everyone fighting for slices.
Everyone except me.
You see I was more interested in the metal canister it came in.
The top was covered in gorgeous green vines.
And I just knew it could be a fabulous piece of home decor...someday.
Well, someday showed up this past weekend, when the temps were too cold to do anything other than sit inside and play with my thrift store stash.
I put on my crafty thinking cap and decided to turn the top of that tin canister into a decorative clock.
It was also a super project to share for today's Thrift Store Decor Hop.
How To Make A DIY Clock
That lid deserved to be front and center and I thought that turning it into a clock face was the best way to show it off.Keep in mind that this project would work on a vintage tin top or a metal burner cover. You could even use the tops of tea tins, to make mini clocks, since the movements come in all sizes.
To start, I had to get rid of that word smack in the middle of my lid. Turns out, it was a transfer and lifted clean away once I was able to get underneath it.
Then I wiped the surface with a damp rag and I had a clean slate.
The Easiest Way To Find The Center
Next up, it was time to add the clock, which would naturally be centered. Of course, I had to find the exact center of the tin before I could drill a hole to pop the movement through.
And the easiest way to do that was with paper.
I started by tracing around the top with a pencil.
Then I cut out my paper circle, very carefully, as I needed to be directly on that line for this method to work.
And snipped the pointed tip of the paper off with a scissor.
Then I laid the paper circle on top of the tin, making sure they were lined up exactly, and placed a pencil in the hole I had cut, to mark the center spot.
That was honestly, the most time consuming part of this project. Once that was done, the rest was smooth sailing.
How To Make The Perfect Hole (without damaging your clock face)
My husband used a hammer to gently tap a nail into the tin, on the pencil mark, so he'd have a notch to place the drill...because the closest I get to power tools, is my glue gun.
I did help out though. I placed blue tape around that tiny hole, so that if the drill accidentally slipped, it wouldn't damage the finish or my precious vine.
Before he drilled, he measured the diameter of the center post on the clock with a caliper, to find the right bit and get the right sized hole.
Installing The Clock
Adding the clock was easy. The trickiest part was finding the right movement kit.
The center posts come in different heights, to accommodate the thickness of your clock. The hands also come in different lengths, so measuring before you choose is important.
To install it, I followed the directions on the package and voila. I was done.
 |
| CLOCK KITS |
Well, almost.
Once I saw the clock on the wall, I decided I didn't love the gold in the center of the dial. So I covered it with some black enamel paint.
Then I was done.
Hmmm. It looked nice on the wall, but it seemed unfinished. Besides, I was looking for more than nice.
Adding A Frame
That's when I remembered this $3 cheese board I grabbed at the thrift store a while back. It was in really bad shape.
Somebody clearly liked their cheese, because this sucker had the deepest cut marks in the center...which had prevented me from upcycling it yet.
However, I figured if I used it to frame the clock, no one would ever see that terrible mess.
So I distressed the outside edge of the wood with black chalk paint and a coat of gloss sealer.
I also hammered a push pin into the wood to hang the clock on. That way it'd be removable when the batteries need changing.
That's when I got my wow.
The scratched cheese board gave my simple tin clock the pop and the grandeur it lacked before.
Now, the top of that bakery tin is a charming, and functional, decor accessory for my family room.
And super sweet.
Even without the cake.
😉
Don't you think so?
I hope you'll stick around and check out all the fabulous DIYs.
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Happy Hopping, Friends!
Super cute. 😍
ReplyDeleteThank so much! I'm super smitten with this one.
DeleteThat is crazy good! You are always full of crafty surprises. I remember when you shared this tin and said you were going to upcycle it. I thought, what else could it be? I never dreamed it'd be a clock. 🤩
ReplyDeleteWell you just totally made my day! Thank you so much! ❤️ This one made me smile, too and it was so easy. You'd never guess it was part of a cake tin in its former life!
DeleteThis is an amazing re love. Love the pattern and colors perfect for your house. You are the crafting queen when it comes to re love's. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kris! It was a welcome pop of color during this snowy and gray winter, while I count down to spring! xo
Deletehi kim this is such a great idea ! pinned!
ReplyDeletelaura
Thank you, Laura! I do love getting pinned!!
DeleteGreat repurposing project, Kim. Pretty and practical. The wood board really was the perfect addition. Pinning.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Carol! I was so excited about this one and it was super simple. Glad you like it and thanks for the pin! ❤️
DeleteWow is right! I love that the word in the middle came off so easily. Your way of finding the center was brilliant. I would have been measuring and marking and making a mess.
ReplyDeleteI thought the clock looked great, and then you added that cheese board (perfect size!) and it really is a wow. Good job!
Thanks Mari!! It was a gift that the transfer lifted away so easily. I really thought it was painted on and I was prepared to scrape and repair any damage. I'm so glad the paper circle was helpful, too. I've done so many projects over the years where I had to find center and you're right...all that measuring can be maddening! This is super simple!
DeleteKim I like this clock, gave me great ideas foa project of my own! ~Beth
ReplyDeleteOh yay, Beth!! I love it when people tell me they're inspired. That's exactly why I share! ❤️
DeleteWow this is so creative! How do you come up with the these things?! I love the black to contrast against the white. Now I have to go thrifting to find a tin! How cute would a mini one be?
ReplyDeleteI know!! I want to create a few mini clocks now, too! I actually have a few square tin tea tops leftover from some older DIYs and I'm thinking they would make interesting clocks...and thanks so much for taking the time to comment! What a treat!
DeleteYou amaze me, so many great ideas, this one is top of my list. I am pinning!!
ReplyDeleteCarla, you are on the top of my list! 💕 And thanks for the pin! Yay!
DeleteKim, you are amazing when it comes to re loving an item. I never thought you would have made the tin cover into a clock. It's great that you have your husband to help you out with your crafts. You two make an amazing team. I love the way the clock looks on the wall and it looks nice on the stand. Enjoy your new clock!
ReplyDeleteNow onto the weather. It was so darn COLD over the weekend! It's so COLD and the snow isn't melting fast enough for me. I am so done with winter and bring on spring. I hope you stay warm and cozy Kim.
Hi Julie! Wow, so many nice words! Thank you! ☺️ I'm very lucky that my husband enjoys these DIYs as much as I do. It's also really helpful, since like I said, power tools are not my thing...especially in this cold! Yikes, it's been brutal. I don't think it's been this chilly or snowy in a long, long time. I'm watching the clock, and the calendar, counting down to spring. It can't come soon enough for me either!! Happy Valentine's Day my friend!
DeleteI love the design on the tin, too. Is there anything better than an upcycle that creates custom decor for your home? I think not!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina! I’m with you…home decor upcycles are the best.
DeleteOhhh beautiful!! You sure nailed what to do with that tin top! So lucky you were able to lift the middle graphics! And your added cheese-lover's frame (haha!) was the absolute perfect finishing touch! I have a few things I'd love to flip into a clock so I'm going to keep that layering idea in mind. AMAZING flip!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Donna! I had fun with this one. I really love the finished DIY…and you’re right, I got so lucky with that graphic. I expected it to be a lot more difficult and I was preparing myself for a bit of repair work, too. Thanks goodness, none of that was necessary. ☺️
DeleteThat is definitely a WOW! What a great transformation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! It took me a while to get to that wow, but now I love it.
DeleteOkay.... you amaze me! Wow! This is so fantastic! What a wonderful way to repurpose and to create beauty and something useful!! Look at this!! It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteChrissy, you are just the sweetest! Thank you so much. I have to say, I love this one. The only clock in that room is on our antiquated TV box and so small. This one has already been super useful. Thanks again for your visit and kind words!
DeleteWhat an awesome idea! It came out so beautiful!! - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteThank you, Briana! You just totally made my day! I hope Texas has warmed up a bit and that chill has disappeared.
DeleteDear Kim, this is absolutelly stunning!!! I love the colour and design! Fantastic, creative!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! I appreciate all those exclamation points! Thanks so much, they made me smile!!
DeleteGreat upcycle Kim! I'm so happy you kept that tin after the yummy cake was all gone. How lucky it was for you that it was simply a decal that came off the center of the tin. Sounds to me like the company realizes how pretty their tins are.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for finding center, and WOW, that cheese board brings it home. Absolutely beautiful!
Pinned!
gail
Thanks so much, Gail. I'm glad you like this thrifty flip, and yes, I was super lucky with that decal. I was prepared for the worst, but you're right, maybe they realized people would like to a chance to reuse them. How fabulous!
DeleteSuper cute Kim! I would’ve eaten the cake nom stop just to get the tin quicker lol!
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, Sara!! I have to say, it was gobbled up pretty quickly without any coaxing from me. I certainly didn't stop them though when the started eating it for breakfast! 😉
DeleteOh my goodness! I had no idea you could create a clock! Clocks are so expensive, too! Absolutely brilliant, Kim!! So cute, too!! -Julie redheadcandecorate.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! This was a first for me. I've wanted to try it for a long time, I just didn't have the proper materials...until now! 😉
DeleteThat is one of your prettiest projects yet, in my humble opinion. It is so simple and fresh looking that I don't think you will ever get tired of it! I am a green girl all around. Hubby is a blue person so the house has a lot of blue in it but I get my dose of green here and there.
ReplyDeleteBusy days here, as you know. I will fill you in soon. xo xo Diana
Thank you, Diana! I have to say I'm kind of stuck on this one, too. I think it's the green color. I know I decorate with a lot of red, but green is truly my favorite. My bedroom is green, that family room, my couch, half my wardrobe and my eyes. ☺️ My husband is a blue person, too. I think a lot of guys like that color! xo
DeleteI'm sitting here with my mouth hanging open. Well, of course because I am drooling over such a beautiful piece. But ... I had no idea whatsoever that you could buy clock packet and 'make a clock' !! Who knew?!? I love how creative this is, and yes, I am inspired and pinning away! Thank you for opening this whole new world to me!
ReplyDeleteKristine, you could make a gorgeous clock in no time with that little clock mechanism. I have faith! I hope you'll share if you do! I can't wait to see what you you turn into a clock!!
DeleteWhat a great idea! But the genius part was the board you added!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tania! I was waiting for the perfect use for that beat up old board. I think everyone agrees that I found it. Happy Monday!!
DeleteKim! You clever girl! This looks PHENOMENAL! I can’t tell you how many times I have had beautiful tins but had no idea what to do with them, they started to pile up, and I just got rid of them. If I only would have known. I love the tin here (although I would have had to have cake), because green is my favorite color and I love anything botanical. It looks fantastic in your room. I’m going to keep this in mind for the future.
ReplyDeletePattie, you are the sweetest! Thank you for those super kind words. 💕 I’ve tossed - and passed up at the thrift store - too many tins to count. Now of course, I’m kicking myself, since they would make great gifts and I could have a colorful clock in every room. Although, I am totally smitten with this one, since green is my favorite color, too. Have a super week!
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous, Kim! Although I must admit, I was a bit nervous when I saw you going after the word in the center with a razor blade, but you did it. I love this makeover!
ReplyDeleteHaha…Ann, I was ready for battle. Thankfully, it just lifted right off. Sometimes, it really is the little things!!
DeleteWell the apple spice crumb cake sounded delicious and the clock you've made looks incredible.
ReplyDeleteWell done :)
All the best Jan
It was really good cake, Jan...the clock is just a lot less fattening! ☺️
DeleteYou really are the cleverest upcycler, Kim, another winner!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Why thank you, Amalia!! I’m so glad I found a way to showcase that pretty tin top.
DeleteKim...how clever you are and how adorable this clock is. Thank you for sharing the steps of making it with us. I love how you can take any old thing and make something so beautiful and interesting out of it. Oh goodness...we would make good treasure hunter friends...just the kind of things I enjoy... thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much, Shug! I think we would be a great treasure hunting team…especially in your neck of the woods. I bet there are some really great places to thrift. NY has more antique shops than true thrifts. I dream of big barns, under big skies, filled with fun finds and while we do have farm country here, those treasure filled barns sadly no longer exist.
DeleteI also apologize for my late reply. My inbox is a tangle lately and I’ve been slowly sifting through it. I really do appreciate your visits though and the time you take to leave a comment. 💕
Oh my gosh Kim, how great did this project turn out!!! You’re so right, that the cheeseboard really did give your clock the extra pizazz! You’re just so clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kitty! I knew I picked that board up for a reason! I hope you're having a lovely week!
Delete