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Alex Inspired

Creative minds are rarely tidy

November 21, 2014

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking | Alex Inspired

I was recently invited to participate in a fun holiday challenge from the lovely Alice, from ThoughtsFromAlice.

Her challenge, simple and thought provoking:

Purchase an item from a Thrift store with a price tag under $25.00. The item could also be second hand or given to you. Task: to re-purpose or makeover the item for a festive holiday piece of décor.

I did find this a true challenge. In fact, I was baffled – too many ideas running through my head. I also forgot to include a “before” image… so here is a photo of a festive wreath instead.

DIY Christmas Decor - Boxwood Wreath hanging off door knob

I first began with finding fabulous vintage wrapping paper (60 sheets for $3.00!) – which I was going to stitch into a “whimsical garland” to hang in my kitchen windows.  My problem? The circular punch I used destroyed everything it touched. oops.

Anyway – long story short, I ended up at one of my favourite Antique stores (Sleeping Giant Antiques) on a totally unrelated adventure.

When I was there, I found some snowshoes (out of the desired price range) and walked by something amazing – completely oblivious to them.

The owner, of the store – Marsha, guided me to pace backwards… and look up. Voilà!

Vintage Sock Stretchers!

DIY Christmas Decor! Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking for the bathroom! Perfect accent for a mirror | Alex Inspired

What on earth is a sock stretcher?
(Essentially what it’s named for – stretching wool socks to keep their shape and size after being washed)

What a bargain, $7 each!?  SOLD!

Several ideas ran through my head on how to make these finds Christmasy. They already had the look of a stocking; they just needed a few embellishments.

DIY Christmas Decor in the Bathroom, using vintage sock stretchers as stockings! | Alex Inspired

I also knew exactly where they belonged… a place usually ignored for holiday décor… la salle de bain!

On hand, I had previously ordered Starry String Lights from Restoration Hardware. Because the battery powered lights are strung on bendable wire, it made it easy to cover the sock frame.  These lights are also on a timer, which is perfect for keeping the battery pack hidden (in my case, behind the mirror).

DIY Christmas Decor - Starry String Lights from Restoration Hardware, suited for all types of Holiday Decor | Alex Inspired

I topped off the one “stocking” with a simple red and white ribbon, purchased from Target.

The next “stocking” I created was simple. Red and white striped ribbon (Target) was attached and hung from the top. Cute Reindeer clothes pins (Target) and regular clothes pins secured vintage and retro Christmas cards to the frame, along with a little concert ticket from 1929.

DIY Christmas Decor - Sock Stretcher Stocking vintage Bathroom Decor, with vintage christmas card | Alex Inspired

DIY Christmas Decor - Vintage Concert Ticket used as inspiring Design for the holidays | Alex Inspired

DIY Christmas Decor - Red and White Striped ribbon from Target | Alex Inspired

While I was at Sleeping Giant Antiques, I also picked up some vintage cookie cutters ($4) and added them to (let’s just say it…) the fancy soap no one ever uses.

DIY Christmas Decor- Vintage Cookie cutters added to festive soap, creating a cute soap dish arrangement | Alex Inspired

DIY Christmas Decor - Thrifty Finds for Decorating your bathroom | Alex Inspired

DIY Christmas Decor - Bathroom upgrades on a thrifty budget | Alex Inspired

DIY Christmas Decor - Bathroom decorating on a dime, using thrifty finds and creativity | Alex Inspired

I hope you’ve been thoroughly inspired to tackle on a Christmas project using something old and making it new.

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking = success!

I have to thank Alice once again, for helping me dig deep for inspiration and a challenge!

Be sure to pay a visit to ThoughtsFromAlice, and the many creatively crafty inspiring minds who also took part (links below).

2014 Holiday Thrift Story Challenge | Thoughts from Alice - a wonderful compilation of DIY Thrifty Christmas Projects!

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 Frame by 365 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

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Posted In: Holidays · Tagged: Alex Inspired, Creative Christmas, DIY Christmas Decor, Holiday Decor, Holiday DecorD, Holiday Thrift Store Challenge, Holidays, Inexpensive Decor, Thoughts from Alice, Thrifty Decor, Thrifty Finds, Vintage Sock Stretcher

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Embroidery Hoop Wall Hanging: Holiday Thrift Store Challenge - Simple Stylings says:
    November 21, 2014 at 6:21 am

    […] Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired […]

    Reply
  2. A Vintage Mantel for Winter - Finding Silver Pennies says:
    November 21, 2014 at 7:09 am

    […] Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired […]

    Reply
  3. Thrift Store Sweater Stockings says:
    November 21, 2014 at 8:57 am

    […] 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 […]

    Reply
  4. Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Deer Mount Advent Calendar says:
    November 21, 2014 at 10:19 am

    […] 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 […]

    Reply
  5. DIY Crocks | So Much Better With Age says:
    November 21, 2014 at 10:45 am

    […] Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired […]

    Reply
  6. DIY Shabby Chic Picture Frame - 365 Days of Crafts365 Days of Crafts says:
    November 21, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    […] 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 […]

    Reply
  7. Christmas Decor from Thrifty Find - Town & Country Living says:
    November 21, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    […] Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking by Alex Inspired […]

    Reply

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