HOW 53 YEARS OLD CAN BE NEW AGAIN

I'm 58 and I'm proud of it.  So with that said, I still have, or I should say "had" my toy chest from my childhood.  All five of my children used it.  I covered it several times over the years.  This is what color it was thru the years my boys used it.  I covered the inside with contact paper.  MISTAKE!!!  There was orange contact under the polka dot contact.  What a nightmare getting it all off and than dealing with the sticky gunk.  YUCK!!  

This is the original yellow vinyl.  Many years ago Joel put a piece of plywood inside the lid because the lid had been pushed thru.

 I don't know if you can read it, but this is the original paper that was always on the bottom and I had recorded that it was mine and than each of my children that used it.  I didn't have the heart to throw it away.  I don't know what I'll do with it.  Probably one day I'll be in a "thrifty" mood and it'll make it's way into the recycling bin.  None of my kids are sentimental like I am.

                              So I finally got it stripped down to the wood and padding.  And than I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed.  I bought supplies.  (Let's not even discuss how much I spent)

 I cut new pieces 1/4" thick for the lid and the bottom to strengthen them.  I also cut molding for inside the lid to hide the staples and the raw edges of the fabric and to give it a finished look.  

Yes, "I" cut this all myself.  Did I ever tell you "I love power tools"?  

I have all my own.  No one has a better teacher than me.  My hubbie's a general contractor.  

I stained all the wood pieces, including the ball feet I found at Home Depot.  I love the feet!!!

These are the original feet from 53 years ago.  Rough cut 3/4"x 3 x 4.  I do not love these feet!!

I added new padding on the lid and the box using my electric staple gun.

Than I covered with beautiful new designer fabric.  I love the blues and browns.

 And added the ball feet!!!

 I installed the molding on the lid.  I mitered the corners.  The corners matched up pretty darn good.  (Joel said "I couldn't have done any better.")

I went searching for the perfect lid hinge.  I didn't like the 1st one.  I love the 2nd one.

I installed it.  Then I called my daughter's girlfriend and she came over with her husband and daughter. I think this is one happy little girl.

I had so much fun doing this project.  I worked on it every day for two weeks plus many days off and on before that.  I have no idea how many hours I put into it, but that's not the point.  That bright smile is what it's all about.

             I'm happy today.  I had fun doing this job.  This defiantly is a "rebirth"!!!!!  How many more years will this be used?  How many more kids will crawl inside and pull the lid closed like I did and each of my children did?

Power tools used:  cordless saw, cordless drill, miter saw,  electric staple, brad gun.