You should buy for this challenge.  Part of the process is to actually hit the thrift stores to find that PERFECT ugly item.

Others can help with your actual crafting, though.  Love involving friends and family in projects!
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Oh. Well, I can't trawl the thrift stores right now - limited post-op activities.

So that counts me out. Too bad I had finally cut the offending bits off and with very little help from my husband.

For future reference: how much help from family/friends is permissible. Can't having a thrifted gift from a friend count in this criteria?

Greetings fellow Craftsters  

I have a metal item that was given to me by my thrift store buddy (we occasionally trawl the stores together), she was given it by another friend who originally bought it from a thrift store. It sat out the front of my place for a while - I hoped someone would steal it, but I still have it. I offered it to various visitors - no one took it. So IMO it's pretty overdue for a revamp. I know it was under $20 as the original person would consider it very bad form to pay more than $2 for something like this.

So - is it okay to use it even if I didn't buy it?

Also - I may need my husband to help me cut it up as I had surgery a week or so ago and cutting the small metal bits off is beyond me right now. Is that okay?

I can't stop staring at it. I love all the different patterns! Did they all come from an Ikea catalog?

yes...all from the Australian edition of the Ikea catalogue

thanks for all the positive comments

I recognise those train tickets! NSW state rail system!

A good interpretation of procrastination due to study!

Great idea! I have lots of out of focus photos, I like bits of them for the colours etc. Migh tdo something like this too.

Excellent idea! You know about International Pirates Day? I think it is in September.... talk like a pirate for the day!

I loved Vikings when I was a child, I wonder what it is...the romantic side of it portayed in films?

This was inspired by an "Ikea" catalogue that my son picked up on the train one night, my sons know that I love the neatness of the Ikea concept!.

The paper is not great quality but there are many interesting colours and patterns, so I thought of doing a collage of patchwork bits onto a box that my bathroom scales were packaged in.

The box is approximately 1 foot square and is tray like with a nifty little handle...hence the portable side of the work.

When I was a preschool teacher I did lots of work like this with the kids...sort of decoupage. I love the whole jigsaw approach to it.

This portable piece can serve as a work tray for craft  projects, a tray for cups of tea and toast.....or just hang it on the wall for all to see.

All sides are covered and the glue has been applied over the top as well, to help seal down edges.