Happy Day Friends! I’m excited about today. It’s time for the first Lifestyle of Love hop 2021! Several of my farmhouse loving friends and I are sharing tool boxes or tool caddy’s and how we use them in our homes. Did you pop over from Let’s Add Sprinkles? Welcome, so glad you’re here. We might as well get started with A Valentine’s Gift That Keeps on Giving because there’s a lot to see!
A Valentine’s Gift That Keeps on Giving
I have to apologize right off the bat. During the Christmas break, I fully intended to bring home my vintage tool tray so I could use it for this post but totally forgot and left it in Navasota. Total bummer. Right now that vintage cutie is being used to hold Sherlocks immunotherapy medicines, syringes and paperwork. Not very pretty but still handy.
Adding grocery bags to protect caddy just in case water drips out.
So since I needed one for this post it gave me an excuse to do a little shopping. I went to several antique/junk stores and found nothing I liked. Does that happen to you? You know what you want but because you have something specific in mind, you come up empty handed? It’s terrible! I’m guessing others find them first and snatch them up because they are a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e. I know I would.
Using vintage bottles as vases to hold water for Baby’s Breath flowers
I was going to use the one my father-in-law made for the mister about 30 years ago. I’d consider that being vintage but even though hubs said I could use it and even paint it if I wanted, I just couldn’t do that to him. He would have hated how girly it turned out. So, I found this one at Hobby Lobby. It’s obviously not vintage and most people would probably wouldn’t use it for tools but I like it.
Using left over Valentine’s Decor by taping it to inside of tool caddy
The “keeps on giving” part.
As soon as I saw the small potted pink rose bushes at the grocery store, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my new handy dandy caddy. Of course I remembered my brown moldy thumbs too. But I also remembered I’ve never given rose bushes a try. Maybe those thorny little things are more like me and will survive? I have my fingers crossed.
The plan was to keep it simple but after digging out left over Valentine’s craft stuff it turned into something much more festive. I’ve used all of this decor before in two other posts and oh my golly, they turned out so stinkin’ cute! Check them out here and here.
Side of tool caddy with leftover Valentine’s Day cardboard pieces.
But wait, there’s more!
Think about this. Get a new or old caddy, fill it with plants and gift it to your mom for Mother’s Day. Heck, why not a teacher gift (you know they need it) or any essential worker! Planting is supposed to be relaxing which is why this is such a fun gift idea. I’ve always loved the thought of planting but around our house it causes grief and a few choice words. But I bet everyone else would love it!
Back of tool caddy with more leftovers.
And even MORE great ideas for the gift that keeps on giving!
You could add tissue paper in the gaps or cute gardening tools in the open spaces. That would actually make it a “tool caddy”. You could also paint it or add ribbon around the actual box and on the handles. Decoupaging it would be beautiful or you could even add left over decorations like I did. It really was a lot of fun putting it together. It reminded me of decorating the Valentine’s Day boxes we made in elementary school to hold our classmate cards and candy. I loved doing that! Did you?
Okay, it’s time to pop over to Postcards from the Ridge. You will love how Angie styled her tool caddy! Don’t forget to look at the other squares below for more beautiful ways to use these adorable and useful pieces in your home.
Enjoy and Happy Decorating Friends!
This is so stinkin cute, Cindy! I swear you always find the best stuff. I love how creative this caddy is and how you can fill it with pretty flowers or presents and leave it on someone’s door as a surprise. I mean, pandemic safe AND super sweet is a win-win 🙂 Thanks so much for putting this fun hop together. I really appreciate it! Big hugs, CoCo
Author
Thank you CoCo. I love it too and it does make a great gift. And I am the perfect recipient! 🙂
So pretty! I love this idea. I have a few nice neighbors who would love something like this left on their doorstep. Thank you so much for hosting!
Author
Thanks Laura. Yes, if we make some for friends, they’ll love us forever!
I know that you were so frustrated when you realized that you left your tool caddy in Navasota. The one that you found at Hobby Lobby is a great design and I love how you styled it for Valentine’s Day. The ideas for ways that you could use this caddy for a gift are also great. I know when I was teaching, that I would have been over the moon if a student gave me a caddy like this as a gift. I loved decorating a shoebox or a paper bag in elementary school for Valentine’s Day. What great memories! I am pretty sure that I have a bag of Valentines that I received in elementary school in my attic. When I taught 7th grade, I let my homeroom kids (I had the most time with them.) make bags and hang them on the wall. They loved putting Valentines in each other’s bags. Middle schoolers miss the fun things from elementary school like this and we all had fun decorating our bags. (Of course, I decorated a bag along with them!) Thank you so much for hosting Lifestyle of Love! I so much enjoy being a part of it.
Author
I so enjoyed making the Valentine’s Day boxes and the feeling I had writing each name on my Valentine’s cards. I loved every minute. Your class would have been so fun! I think I’ll make one of these for our teacher friend down the street. I know she could use it. I think teachers get a lot of hand soaps these days. LOL
Cindy,
I love how you used real flowers to decorate your toolbox.
Thanks so much for organizing this.
Rachel.
Author
Thank you Rachel. I will enjoy planting them this spring. Really hoping they survive!
Cindy your too ox is so adorable with the pink flowers and baby’s breath. Happy to be hopping with you. Pinned💖
Author
Thank you Ann. Each time I walk by it I smile. Have a great weekend!
Great save Cindy! this looks perfect for a Valentine’s Day vignette. Love that it’s filled with flowers and mini rose bushes. and it’s actually “clean” unlike my metal box, that probably needs a good hard clean!
Author
Thanks bunches Debra. I’m sure I’ll get it dirty soon enough bur for now I’m really enjoying it.
Cindy I love your caddy! It makes me long for spring and gardening! I have my Dads old tool caddy. In our old house it lived on the kitchen table. You have inspired me to get it out and use it again!
Author
Awe, I’m so glad Tammy. It makes my day to hear someone was inspired! I bet it will be so cute. Post about it! 🙂
Oh, I love your Valentines twist on your tool caddy! Baby’s Breath and pink roses… you just can’t go wrong. And the sweet heart embellishments (sweetheart?) are perfect, too! Pinned!
Author
Thanks so much Julie! Hope I can actually grow those tiny bushes into something fabulous! 🙂
I love those cute little pink roses and all the other decor you put in your tool caddy, it turned out pretty darn cute.
Author
I’ll take pretty darn cute. Thanks Marlene!
Cindy, I love your toolbox and how you styled it several different ways! And giving us a bunch of how we can use/style/gift a toolbox going forward. It’s a bummer you didn’t get to use your vintage one but I think this one turned out lovely! Thanks so much for putting together this super-fun blog hop!
Author
My pleasure Michelle. And even though I saaaaaiiid it would make a great gift… I’m totally keeping it for myself. LOL!
Oh my. That is funny. I made a trip out to E.T. and made a mental note to bring some tool boxes to style. That isn’t always reliable because I’m forgetful. Your tool caddy is adorable. I love how you styled it. Thanks for hosting.
Author
Yeah, Navasota is 3-1/2 hours away and not worth the drive for a tool caddy. I’ve put myself in that predicament a couple of times. Decorating two houses in the same style finally did me in. Last year I decided to keep all (most) farmhouse style stuff at the farmhouse and go with my eclectic transitional style here in Highland Village. And yet, I’m still doing it to myself. Insert rolling eyes. Thanks Katie. Hope that doesn’t happen to you!
Very cute, Cindy. Love the lettered hearts. Let the love begin.
Author
Thank you Carol. I am all about pink. Not sure why I’ not fond of red so when those little bushes were right at my eye level, they just hopped in my basket. Didn’t realize they were so cheap ($4.99) until I got to the cash register. I suppose I won’t cry over $20 if they die when I plant them in the ground. Staying optimistic though!
I’d love to get this adorable package for Vday! I always love when those mini rose plants start showing up at the grocery store; I always give in to temptation! Love how you gussied it up, too. Wouldn’t anyone be so happy to get this; great idea!
Author
Thank you Lora. IF I actually gave it to someone else, I’d have to rethink the vintage bottles that hold the water and Baby’s Breath. I’m not sure anyone would appreciate and love them as much as you and I. Just sayin.
I think your spin on this little project turned out so cute and a great idea on how to create a gift with plants or flowers. Pinning!
Author
Glad you like it Michelle and thanks for the Pin! 🙂
I usually don’t so much for Valentine’s Day but you have inspired me. Love this Cindy!
Author
I’m with you on not doing much for Valentin’s but I’ve enjoyed my own little gift. LOL Thank you Kim!
Such an adorable Valentine’s Day project! This caddy would make such a great gift. I am so excited to feature your project at Tuesday Turn About this week! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Author
Awe, thank you so much Lynne. That’s an honor. And welcome to the party! It’s fun having a front row seat and seeing so many wonderful creatives all in one place!
Now that’s just the cutest Valentine decor piece! Thanks for sharing your ideas Cindy!
Author
Thanks so much Cindy. I really appreciate it. 🙂