Last Saturday morning, my treasure hunting partner in crime, CiCi (my 2-1/2-year-old granddaughter) and I, were looking for possible victims to rescue from the local landfill at our thrift superstore in the area. We were on the hunt for two or three small up-cycle projects to work on for the weekend for little or no cost. Armed with just a few supplies such as: spray paint, glue or spray adhesive, scrapbook paper, and a little bling here and there, you would be surprised what you can do with just about anything. Kids love it, even at 2-1/2. Now, CiCi is a dowsing rod for all things, music box, snow globe, and holiday animated dancing animal related. She can spot them across the store. This particular day she found the theater type music box with a dancing bear that played a “Teddy Bear Picnic”. It was a little worse for wear. The piece to wind the music on the back was missing and the exterior was quite worn. On the bright side, it cost $2.99, it worked, and she LOVED it. Here is what we found;
Front Before
Back Before
It became a family project when we got home. We used things we had on hand; extra scrapbook paper, leftover paint for the edges, and some old costume earrings for the drawer pull and winding piece. This is the final product;
Front After 
Back After
It now lives happily in CiCi’s room where she can turn it on and watch it dance much to her delight. She also has the memory of us all working together to make it something beautiful again. The afternoon cost us under $4.00. It was money well spent. By the way, if anyone knows what type of music box this is, please pass on the name. I have always liked this type and I would like to find more. It is difficult without the proper name. Have you done a quick and easy up-cycle of something you found or already had? Share it with us! We would like to hear the different things that are possible. My Personal Accent! Angela
Angela
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How lovely! What a fun thing to do with your granddaughter!
Tonia, Thank you! I love your site! It is so creative. I have so much fun with my granddaughter. She finds so many things for me to turn into projects. Never underestimate the power of a child!