![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKcWGU_CYBNERz5Ru3TFjU8fUSJkeZWIbd27ozl5nWWpGtUrG5A2qiJOanhWodicvrDcJe06i02kpZP1hM_BbJq7lNNjTvm3AbFHtWNMb4o5k3NuVpYacC6nV-NCL8Iinj7iOWhiHz4mU/s320/mondaymadeit2_240x240.png)
We have a practice in my school of putting furniture we no longer want in the hallway for others to claim before it is hauled off. It is nick-named the garage sale. While things show up throughout the year, the end-of-year and beginning-of-year garage sales are the best.
Last summer I came across this beauty.
![cabinetbefore cabinetbefore](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NMZ6io4BnPY/UWIxdjg3N0I/AAAAAAAAAmE/SOdxgOI_s98/cabinetbefore_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
It is a solid piece and is probably older than I am. The teacher who had it originally retired 5 years ago. I’d been on Pinterest though and I decided that this would be my big project.
This scrapbook paper was my inspiration in the classroom redecoration of 2012. I made my inexpensive seat sacks to match.
![IMAG0950 IMAG0950](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JVc-wo4bxvs/UWIxeozNu5I/AAAAAAAAAmU/m9OiXSuepHs/IMAG0950_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
Armed with an idea, I took off the doors and started spray painting. Somehow I didn’t take any pictures of the painting process so you will have to take my word for it. I did a lot of spray painting last summer. This is a filing cabinet I also picked up in the hallway garage sale.
![IMAG1155 IMAG1155](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-edR4ZkpvKak/UWIxfRqVZ5I/AAAAAAAAAmk/ft3Y_kO9RYM/IMAG1155_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
(More on the filing cabinet another time…)
I knew I was going to cover the cabinet doors with polka dots, so I didn’t worry about making them perfect. There were some spots where the years of paint and poster tape and who-knows-what left a bump. I just made sure to cover it up in step two.
When I came back from maternity leave last year I discovered that they’d purchased this machine I can only describe as an industrial sized Cricut or Silhouette. It is fantastic! You can cut out words, phrases, shapes, and more. I pulled out construction paper in the colors I wanted and cut out several hundred circles in all difference sizes. I love that thing!
![IMAG1156 IMAG1156](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s7ssoT_lUyE/UWIxfzx3UFI/AAAAAAAAAm0/0X6byZbvTr0/IMAG1156_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A couple of layers of Mod Podge later and I was feeling good about the whole project! I had to get help putting the doors back on. They are solid wood and HEAVY.
![IMAG1157 IMAG1157](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZCLAu6sU230/UWIxgpd6fUI/AAAAAAAAAnE/QGk7FIRolOE/IMAG1157_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I love the finished product. It now houses all my science materials and other assorted supplies. It is also the background for any pictures I take of my students.
![IMAG1164 IMAG1164](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4iZ74mW_9_o/UWIxhdRTrzI/AAAAAAAAAnU/7HT2XUv3KD8/IMAG1164_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Every once in a while I just stop and look at it. That cabinet makes me smile!
![cabinet cabinet](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PaGheFZHmS4/UWIxiIj2AiI/AAAAAAAAAnk/vHTRlVh1j4c/cabinet_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800)
The only downside was the size. I’d measured the height before I took it in, but it was a bit of a “can’t get it here from there” situation. I had to change where I’d planned to put it, but after all that work I didn’t mind too much!
![IMAG1170 IMAG1170](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JYsRWcFTDC0/UWIxizPcJWI/AAAAAAAAAn0/Iq1RiKOu8RY/IMAG1170_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
(This picture above is from the first day of school and shows those seat sacks I made from Home Depot aprons. I’ve also used the polka dot theme to paint paper boxes for storage. I’ve got a lot of polka dots going on this year!)
Hopefully next month I’ll have a new, non cheating Made it Monday!
This sounds awesome! I can't wait to see the pictures. Unfortunately, I am stuck at school waiting for my next conference to show up and all the pictures are blocked! Ahh! I will check back once I get home!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Pinkadots Elementary
Your cabinet is awesome! I am jealous of it's awesomeness and your industrial-sized Cricut thing. I finally posted my first Monday Made It since forever today too, don't feel bad! :)
ReplyDeleteDawn
Apples, Owls, and Peppermint Mochas
Love that cabinet! You made it so fun and colorful! I would totally love something like that in my classroom:) Thanks for linking up:)
ReplyDelete4th Grade Frolics
WOW! That cabinet is amazing! And you crack me up about having this post ready since August-love it!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
LOVE the cabinet. And I can totally relate to the joy of the end of the year "garage sale". I have never found anything as substantial as that cabinet though. What a find! Also, I love the name of your blog. As an upstate NYer, I am SO ready for some sun!
ReplyDeletePolka Dots & Teaching Tots
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your cabinet! You did a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteJess
That cabinet looks AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteJean
Diving Into 2nd Grade