Just before my occasional sale last year I had the idea to turn some vintage graters into photo holders.  I loved the way they turned out, so recently when I saw some graters at a garage sale I picked them up to make some more.

This time I decided to upgrade the idea a little with some more substantial clips.  I found these Tim Holtz Idea-ology clipboard clips at Hobby Lobby.

I pulled out the rest of the supplies I needed; some Little Billy Goat paint, Tim Holtz Idea-ology rub-ons, and some Homestead House Salad Bowl Finish (bees wax).

I started out with painting the clips.  Although they were OK as is, I wanted to ‘age’ them up with some paint.  I painted them with a couple of coats of paint, then sanded them to distress, added some rub-on designs and put a coat of Homestead House Salad Bowl Finish over it all.

I added various rub-ons to all of the graters themselves as well.

You know, at first I didn’t even realize that I’d used these Tim Holtz rub-ons in 3 out of 5 posts this week.  Sure enough, I used them on the yellow pots on Tuesday, the jewelry dresser yesterday, and now again today.  Obviously I love them.  I’ve always thought they would be so much fun to use on furniture if only they weren’t so very small.  I’m so glad that the ladies at Iron Orchid Designs started making their fabulous decor transfers in sizes suitable for furniture!

It wasn’t until I added the phrase ‘collector of memories’ to one of the clips that it hit me, that’s exactly what these are, memory collectors.

Although I have old photos clipped in place, you could also add some memorabilia like ticket stubs, old letters, greeting cards, old family recipe cards (that one is for you Meggan) … whatever.

This next one would be perfect for the family Christmas photo.

Since I’m not having an occasional sale at my house this year, I brought these in to Reclaiming Beautiful last night.  They are for sale at $12 each while they last!