Trash to Useful Treasure

I have yet another spool knitted scarf/cowl tutorial for you but I figured it would be nice to take a break from all of that knitting and do a quick little junk transformation today.  Besides, I'm still a little under the weather and needed something super easy and quick to do.

I picked up this little shelf at the second hand shop not too long ago.  All you need for this project is a junky shelf like this, some hot glue, crochet lace, and scissors (which of course I forgot to throw in the picture).

It's supposed to have wooden pieces across the fronts of each of the shelves and probably some little drawers or something in the bottom.  It's really pretty much trash but I figured I could salvage it for something useful though.

I had every intention of bringing it home and immediately coating it in white paint.  But after walking past it a few times I realized I sort of liked that cute folksy floral thing at the top and the colour kind of matches my kitchen table. 

So, I just cleaned it up a bit and started gluing.

I put down a bead of hot glue along the side and then some crochet lace coming away from the shelf.  Seem strange?

Well, I didn't want any fraying raw edges showing, so this way you can lay down another bead of glue on top of the lace and fold it back over.  That way you get a nice clean edge.

A tiny bit of glue along the bottom of the shelf and on the other side secures the lace in place.

Then I just repeated on the other two shelves.

And added my sad excuse of a recipe card collection.  (I don't really like cooking and trying new recipes.)

Here's where I usually keep my recipes:

It gets all greasy and gross on the outside because it sits right there on the stove.

I have no idea what will go on the bottom just yet.  And if I ever get my little desk alcove in the kitchen finished this is where it will hang.  I'm planning on painting the back wall with magnetic and chalk board paint and that little tiny wall will get some cork board.

Tah dah!  And now my next task is to make some cuter recipe cards, but I've got all winter to do that~  For now, I'm just happy to have someplace handy to stash my recipes.  I think if they're out like this I might just remember to pull them out and use them once in awhile instead of just relying on whatever box or can Ican reach in the cupboard.
Where do you keep your recipes?  What do you think I should put in the bottom sections?  Leave a comment below with your ideas!

Have a great week everyone!

Don't forget to get your entry into the Big Plaid Giveaway.  The winner will be announced on November 24th!