Repurposed Toy Truck Condiment Carrier

23 July
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Now that my outdoor dining area is coming together I have another project to show you... I think you'll really like it 😉

Remember that old, rusty toy truck I showed at the end of my last post?

Well, it has been repurposed and has a whole new, useful life... as a condiment carrier for the table!!

How to repurpose an old toy truck into a condiment carrier for the table!
I have had this little truck for many, many years. I think it was my dad's but I'm not positive about that... at any rate, it is old!

I never really knew what to do with it... I just knew it was cute... so it sat outside in the garden for years.

Here it is before the repurpose... holding a planter with nothing in it and sporting bird poop on the hood... poor little truck 😟


I think it must have had a trailer at one point.


The cab was a little crooked and smashed... but the wheels still turn like new!


I cleaned it all up and straightened the cab up. Then I made it into a flatbed!

After staining the wood I sprayed the whole thing (except the tires) with a coat of Clear Sealer Spray Paint. I like the sheen it put on the truck and the "Allstate" decal on the door stands out so much better now.

Side note: when I saw the word Allstate I thought maybe this little truck wasn't that old after all but I did a quick Google search for Allstate history and discovered that it was founded in 1931! And interestingly it was started by the president of Sears, Roebuck & Company. It was the first company to sell auto insurance by mail. The first policy holder in May of 1931 paid $41.60 for a 12-month policy on a 1930 Studebaker. I wish the prices were like that now!!


I glued a couple of old bolts on the back end and then glued the new wood flatbed onto them to keep the wood from rubbing on the wheels.

That's called MacGyver-ing at it's finest... it's a very handy trait I learned from my dad 😂😂


And now it is a super cute, useful condiment carrier!!


It's been so hot here I haven't actually eaten at my table yet but just as soon as it cools off a little bit I will! In the meantime, I had fun playing with setting the table today!

I found the plastic dishes on clearance at Fred Meyer.


I made the placemats from some plain white ones that I got at a thrift store. I've had them for a few years now in my stash, waiting for a makeover.


Here is how I gave them a quick ombre look... I bought a package of Dark Green Rit Dye... but it turned out blue and I'm happy with that!

I just dipped the ends of each placemat into the dye for a minute or two and then let them dry in the sun.


Here is how they looked before.


Back to the table.

I've had the table top chalk board for a few years, this one is cute too: 10 Inch Mini Tabletop A-Frame Wood Chalkboard Sign



When I do finally get to eat out here the little truck can hold Ketchup, mustard, salt & pepper, etc.




I found the little lemon salt & pepper set in the basket on clearance at Pier One. Amazon has a cute set too here: Lemon Salt and Pepper Set by Appletree Design


And last but not least, I found some little battery operated twinkle lights at Target for my umbrella.



They look so pretty at night 😍


And the best part about these lights???

They are teeny-tiny little cactus plants!!!


They are only $5.99 and you can purchase them online here: Cactus String Lights.


I wish you could come join me for dinner and drinks on the patio!!







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