Here’s the story of the little two dollar Goodwill truck that I got Clara in Georgia (mentioned in this video yesterday). This is what it looked like when I snatched it up:
Perfectly charming and vintage-ish, but a little less “Clara” than it could have been. So I thought it would be fun to get Clara involved in a little makeover. Yes, Clara would be the ultimate truck graffiti artist, but first I applied one coat of blue paint, just to set the stage for her scribbles (the entire project was free thanks to using a little test pot of paint leftover from this old art project last year). The color is Embellished Blue by Behr in case you’re wondering.
After it dried I handed it over to Clara with a box full of crayons and told her to go nuts. She had the best time coloring every last corner and crevice. I wish (oh how I wish) I had thought to take photos of her coloring with reckless abandon (I was too busy watching and clapping and playing the role of too-excited momma). Just try to picture Clara grabbing every color and feverishly coloring her blue truck while completely ignoring me. She loved it. She was focused. She took her truck-coloring job very seriously. Of course there were talks about how we can only color on things when mommy says we can. So here’s hoping she doesn’t doodle on everything else we own now. So far so good. As for the truck though, no surface was left uncolored – even the wheels got some crayon-love. About ten minutes later, Clara had created this:
Her crayon-holding truck, complete with crayon scribbles. Isn’t it cute?
It sits on her little drawing desk. Except for when she’s pushing it around on the floor (which is probably about 70% of the time).
I love that it holds all of her crayons out where she can see them since I used to store them in a little zippered pouch and it was harder for her to see all of the colors that way. And the holes definitely keep her busy since she likes to take all of her crayons out and then put them all back in. It’s like an interactive puzzle slash storage spot slash truck. I mean it rolls for goodness sakes! It’s the toy trifecta.
I thought about sealing her doodles with some clear non-toxic sealer (Safecoat Acrylacq) but I actually like the idea of allowing her scribbles to continue over time, so it can change every day if that’s Clara’s idea of a good time. She has already added a little more pink today. I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves. Haha. Sort of like the rooms in our house. Now Clara has her little truck to “makeover.” And when she gets a little older we can even repaint it another color so she can start from scratch again if she’d like.
So as work continues on the deck outside (along with some Pinterest-Challenging), here’s a zero dollar project with a $2 thrift store find that Clara and I had fun with. Sometimes the little things are my favorite – especially when Clara’s in on the fun. But that’s not to say that our little crayon truck won’t be ten times more fun when the deck is finished and we can take it out there for some alfresco coloring. Haha. Those will be the days. What have you guys been doing with your kiddos (or pets)? Burger totally painted something for us a while back. That was a good time too.
Psst- Click here to see over 60 other kid-projects, from DIY book shelves to homemade mobiles and more.
Mary Sheedy says
I’m feeling a serious urge to get myself to a Goodwill store after seeing all your treasure! Maybe a weekend project :)
Sarah says
Cute project!
So, I am in the market for a backsplash. I LOVE yours, but TTS says it’s backordered until at least August. Would you guys say it has a green undertone? It’s called “moss”, but it seems pretty gray to me. My countertops are carrera-ish. Think it would go? I can wait semi-patiently if I need to. So pretty!
Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
It’s complete;y gray. No idea way it’s called moss. Haha. Even outside in the sun the tiles look 100% gray. It would look amazing with carera-ish marble. Seriously, I’m drooling!
xo,
s
Katie says
Love this idea!
I just started reading your blog a few months ago, and I absolutely love it!! I’ve gotten a lot of decorating ideas/inspirations from you guys! I just graduated from college, so I love that you guys go to thrift stores all the time. It really makes it easy on my wallet! I just saw your Q&A section in the BHG DIY magazine too! I had no idea that you wrote articles in there!
Sorry for all the !!!
Happy anniversary today!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Katie!
xo,
s
Kassandra @ Coffee and their Kisses says
That’s adorable!!! I tagged you in a game. It’s fine if you don’t want to play. Here’s the link, http://www.coffeeandtheirkisses.com/2012/07/ive-been-tagged.html
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
JoDi says
Such an awesome idea! It turned out great.
I’m sure someone has commented on this already, but from the relative size of those crayons, it appears that Clara is a fan of yellow like her momma! (That, or it’s just a broken crayon! LOL)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes it’s her favorite!
xo,
s
Amy says
Oh mylanta I LOVE THIS!!! I am SO doing something like this for my daughter! I just love y’all’s blog, Just discovered it a few weeks ago and have found so much inspiration for things to do around my home!!
Teresa says
Sherry and John,
I don’t know how I ended up on your blog,(some 7 hours ago), but I’m so glad I did! I was researching some ways to reupholster furniture. Since then, I have been reading and watching the tranformation of your home, (past and present)gone through your pregnancy and birth of Carla, in a nut shell, I think I’m up to speed now. I just love you guys, and look forward to following you! :) T
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Teresa! So glad you found us!
xo,
s
Angela says
I love it. What a great idea. Also, happy anniversary!
Katie says
Love that idea!! My almost 2 year old daughter is *obsessed* with coloring right now and would love a crayon holder like that. So I googled “wooden crayon holder” and found this website http://countrysidegifts.com/store/wooden_semi_truck_crayon_holder.html
It’s Clara’s truck! I’d say you scored quite the deal on your Goodwill find! Happy coloring Clara :)
P.S. I was writing the date on something this morning and just as I wrote it I thought, “hey, it’s John and Sherry’s anniversary today!” Haha! Hope you’re having a great 5 year anniversary!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! What a small world! And thanks for the sweet anniversary wishes! We had a great day!
xo,
s
Erin Motz says
Love this idea! When kids are creative it’s always adorable, joyful, awesome, hilarious – you name it! And also, your home looks beautiful! Love the colors :)
Nina says
You have a yellow gurgle pot! Ours is pink – they are so fun. Did you know that they “gurgle” ? http://www.gurglepot.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I love that!
xo,
s
Jamie says
This is so cute!! :)
Clara definitely has artistic talent! Seeing how she can make the trunk look so beautiful!! :)
Felie says
Super cute find! I never seem to have any luck at our local goodwill :0(
Side note: Happy five year anniversary to you guys! My husband and I were also married on 7.7.07!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Happy anniversary to you!
xo,
s
Shawna says
I love this idea! I love how the truck is personalized and still looks great. You are brave for letting Clara drive the truck everywhere…I would be afraid my little one would color everywhere.
Gaidig says
Off topic, but in other things Clara would enjoy, have you seen this pin on making jello worms? http://pinterest.com/pin/153403931028036298/
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, lots of fun!
xo,
s
Sofia - WinterStays says
Lovely color, playful and pretty. She must have had so much fun painting her “toy” :)
Amy @ PaintWineRepeat says
Looks great and what a fun and interactive idea!
Lindsey says
Cutest thing I’ve ever seen! I want one!
John@RemodelingBIBLE says
I really love the splash of color on the sides! A job very well done. Keep the good stuff coming. :)
Allison Lawson says
I love that and so would my daughter Peyton! I am in the process of thinking how I can create a little art space for her and her things!
ettie says
What a great project! I’m wondering where you got the crayon-holder-truck-thingy – not quite sure the official name :) I’d love to get one for my toddler. When you painted it, did you also try to fill the holes that hold the crayons or did you just use a large paintbrush on the outside? How’d you get into all the little crevices by the wheels? Haha, I know, a lot of questions, but I’m such a perfectionist when it comes to things like this :)
YoungHouseLove says
I got it from Goodwill in Georgia! I used a large paintbrush for the outside and a little brush around the wheels and those holes. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Cindy says
What an amazing idea!! Good on you for being able to see the possibilities of using it for storage!! You’ve turned something so basic into a functional piece of storage, fun and ART!
Laurie says
Maybe I’m the only person who googled wooden truck crayon holder hoping to find a similar truck of cuteness to order for my nephew.
Then I found this! I think it will make your Goodwill find all the more special! The man who made it is a sweet little 70-something year old man who makes dozens and dozens of similar items and then donates them to a children’s hospital in Huntsville, AL (not far from GA) at Christmas every year.
http://blog.al.com/living-times/2008/12/santa_and_helper_deliver_toys.html
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!!!!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
Oh my! I used to have one of those, but mine was a duck on wheels. I hope my mom still has it cause i’m for sure painting it for our little one. Super CUTE!
Jenny says
This post totally inspired us to find one for our son for his second birthday last month. I got this one on etsy and it’s actually nicer than the pictures–all the wheels match in real life. And our kiddo LOVES it! Thanks for the idea! xox
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86340118/wooden-tractor-trailer-crayon-holder?ref=cat_gallery_10
YoungHouseLove says
SO CUTE!!
xo,
s
Jen says
Not sure if you check these older post comments or not…would that paint you used be considered non-toxic? Like safe for a 6 month old? We have found some wooden toys (and non-official toys- more like kitchen utensils) at thrift shops and might paint them…and they will for sure end up covered in sweet baby spit.
YoungHouseLove says
I wouldn’t use them for anything that gets put in mouths (it’s low-VOC paint but you want something that specifically says non-toxic, like Safecoat or Mythic. Hope it helps!
xo
s