In this fast-paced world of immediate gratification, the need for quick fixes, and the almost immediate obsolesces of anything new, speed and ease reign supreme in the how-to and DIYers handbook. If you can find a faster fix or an easier process, folks want to know about it. Time is resolute and unwavering, and no one has enough of it.

Given this climate, I know most of my projects are out of step. They are complicated and time-consuming. They are made from old junk and even trash. Sometimes they solve a problem, even if only for me. Or they are fun to create and share. But it is clear that many people still just want the easy button.

I recently received a comment on one of my projects typed with apparent frustration in all capital letters. It read something about the project not being easy, which is notable for two reasons. First, I had never claimed that the project was easy, and secondly, ease or difficulty is somewhat subjective and dependent upon one’s experience. And since the experience of my viewers on any particular project is unknowable to me, I am left to explain as best I can how I assembled a particular thing. As to why I assembled the aforementioned thing well, I will leave that to the psychotherapists.

I am from a slower generation, one that didn’t like to waste things. My childhood was abundant but not lavish. Our telephone was attached to the wall. It didn’t tell you who was on the other end; in that way, it was able to retain its mystery. I was grounded by rules and curfews. I was not relentlessly tethered 24/7 to family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers by the indifference of technology. And I can’t help but wonder how much happier one might be with less time swiping and more time making and creating.

I don’t have quick fixes or easy projects to simplify your life or keep your house cleaner. Nothing I share will shorten your dinner prep time. My value proposition is a little different. If you enjoy the unique, the offbeat, the curious, or quirky. If you like working with your hands to shape and form. If you find the repetition of a process to be mesmerizing, meditative, or even therapeutic, perhaps my projects are for you.

This most recent project took a long time even by my standards. But, I was able to work on it during a time when life was a little more hectic, my brain was a little more cluttered with logistics and problem-solving, and the hours of “drill, glue, tap repeat” were a welcome respite for my for resting my overtaxed grey matter.

But for brevity, which is still paramount, I will endeavor to make the explanation of this project short.

This story begins with two cats and their unsightly litter box.

Step 1 – Prep Cabinet

We had an old kitchen cabinet in our garage. The Formica top was not worth saving, but the rest was the perfect shape and size to make a kitty litter cabinet. The hubby cut and framed a cat door on one side and did the sanding.

I added a new coat of paint, and we were progressing on a reasonably normal trajectory so far.

Step 2 – Prep Cans

But I like to think of my projects as anything but normal, so I gathered some aluminum cans and cut them up to make the replacement top of the cabinet.

This video will show how I break down my aluminum beer and soda cans into four usable parts.

Once the cans were cut down, I flattened them into aluminum sheets.

This video will show you three different methods to flatten aluminum cans.

Step 3 – Design

We used a piece of OSB cut to the size we needed to make the top, and then I worked on a layout using the aluminum sheets that were cut into 3-inch squares.

I added texture to the silver border by hammering the pieces on our sidewalk with a rubber mallet.

Step 4 – Assemble

To attach the aluminum squares to the OSB, I used some hot glue and an iron to smooth the glue. (Note: if you are already finding this project out of bounds, you should probably escape now because I haven’t even gotten to the time-consuming part.)

Are you still with me? Good, because here is the mindless repetition I was talking about. And it is the best part. Well, I think so, anyway. To cover the aluminum edges, I drilled small holes in the wood and used some clear E6000 glue on the tip of a silver thumb tack. Then I tapped the tack in place. Some 2000 plus therapy tacks later, I was finished.

Step 5 – Finish

The final step was to add some contact paper, command hooks, and all the kitty toiletries.

Happy Upcycling,

Cindy

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