Monday, October 12, 2015

Thrift Benefit for Shelter Animals: Last Chance Ranch

When talented blogger and animal lover Jeanette Chaney of 
Country Design Style, decided to do something to benefit shelter animals, she really meant business. Now in it's third year, the
Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals 
is a fun way to support thrift shops whose proceeds benefit our furry friends and bring awareness to their causes.
The Mission: 
1)Find a thrift store in your area which supports an animal charity. 
2) buy and redo a treasure and share it on October 13th!
or
Share a story about a rescue animal who touched your life
 This year 15+ bloggers from around the country are sharing their "thrifty" makeovers and favorite personal pet stories! 
Click HERE for link to Jeanette's blog and list of those participating!
I love discovering new thrift shops and was thrilled when I learned of a recently opened nearby store which benefitted a local rescue called Last Chance Ranch. Starting as a non-profit in 1999, the award winning charity specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating horses and equines, companion pets and small farm animals and finding them loving forever homes.
Photos Last Chance Ranch website
For more information, happy tales, volunteer and adoption details, and the wonderful story of how the ranch was started please click 
Last Chance Ranch
    Though visiting the ranch is still on my to-do list, I was delighted to visit their neighborhood thrift shop and get information about the organization. 
shop photo from thrift store facebook page and two of my finds "before"
  
The bright, neatly displayed shop boasts cheerful, friendly staff and brims with a collection of clothing, household items and a Pet Room, featuring pet toys, supplies and even gently used horse tack at amazing prices. I picked up a few treasures but will definitely be back for more. Since my finds were on the smaller side I decided to do two quick little projects.
   
    Kitty Step Stool
 
Most cat owners agree, felines will find the most comfortable seat in the house and quickly commandeer it. As our rescue kitties are moving up in years, we noticed jumping onto their favorite spots was becoming a bit of a struggle. When I saw this children's step stool I figured it could be just the right size to give our fur friends a leg/paw up.
 I started with a paint redo with a multi surface primer (sorry Samantha)
 in white
I then created a printable with one of my favorite cat quotes using images from the the graphics fairy
I stenciled the center area with some chalk paint to add background interest.
I then taped off some areas and sprayed gold.
















Once dry, I adhered the image using Modge Podge, adding some handpainted accents with multi surface paint. Since this piece will be very gently used the decoupage should hold up fairly well under dainty paws.
Once dry I spritzed with clear varnish for added durability
  
Cat Cafe Treat Jar
I see these types of charming canisters often while thrifting so thought I would try to spruce it up a bit to suit our feline friends. Though I wasn't quite sure what results to expect, for 99 cents I was willing to experiment.
Using the same multi surface spray paint primer, I painted the jar camouflaging any tiny chips and giving me a blank canvas. I then accented it with multi surface paint (I used Martha Stewart and Folk art) in a simple blue and white palette with some gold accents to work better with our kitchen color scheme.
I printed a kitty (also from the graphics Fairy) and painted a mini chalkboard reading "Cat Treats" in french for that fancy cat continental touch. I mounted the printout on card stock and gave it a quick coat of varnish and used double stick craft foam tape to attach it to the jar. Since this jar is strictly decorative and would be storing bagged treats, I didn't worry about it being dishwasher safe. The chalkboard could be removed and reattached if the jar needed to be wiped off with a damp cloth.


for a recipe for homemade Kitty treats visit
our creature comforts post


Many Thanks to Jeannette for organizing this wonderful event!
   

For our previous year's Shelter Animal Benefit posts and more pet related DIY's click below.
Animal Lifeline and a Kitty footstool redo


Blessing of the Animals keepsake and Animals in Distress Rescue


Pop over and visit these other bloggers for more fun  DIY's and Fabulous Pet stories

                                                          An InLinkz Link-up

22 comments:

  1. I love it! Such cute projects. I especially love the French bakery treat jar! Too cute!!

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  2. I adore that little chalkboard! Actually I adore all your projects. Thank you for joining the Thrift Benefit again and for sharing the dog's last will and testament. That was a turning point for me when I lost a dearly loved dog to open my heart again.

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    1. Thanks so much - and thanks for creating this event- such fun and such a good cause!
      I felt the same way when we've lost our pets over the years- so the Dog's will really resonated with me
      I just applied it to cats too :)

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  3. Oh my goodness you are so talented! I just love all of your kitty projects past and present. Your kitties are certainly being treated like royalty and are very blessed to be with you! ;o)

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    1. Oh thanks so much how sweet! just love spoiling our fur friends-
      Our house is near a wooded area and most of our kitties have literally showed up at our door (sadly I think they are dumped) - must be a cat memo going around lol
      Cheers!

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  4. How fun. I love those little step stools. I grab them every time as I love them for buffets to hold plates! Great job.

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    1. Thanks so much! I never thought of using them for a buffet- that's genius! I'll look out for more now- they're the perfect size :)
      Thanks for visiting!
      Cheers!

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  5. How fun are you! I love your sweet projects. You are so creative. Beautiful blog and so much inspiration. xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much- how sweet!
      Making things for pets is so much fun and just love this thrift benefit :)

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  6. Loving that treat jar - how sticking cute are those projects!

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    1. Oh thanks so much!
      These were lots of fun- even if the kitties haven't tried the stool yet lol

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    1. Thanks so much! I'm waiting for the cats to try it out lol :)

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  8. How adorable!! Love the step stool!

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  9. Two cute makeovers! I love the graphic that you used on your stepstool!

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    1. Thanks- i thought it was fitting since our cats all consider themselves royalty :)

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  10. Wonderful projects! I love it. So cute and adorable.

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  11. Oh I love all the kitty crafts!!! Yes, "Cat Treats" sounds way fancier in French!

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    1. LOL -I thought so too-but not sure if the cats notice :)

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