With the chill in the air and Halloween just around the corner, I was inspired to do a fun little upcycling project. I wanted to introduce you all to a very special member of my “Fran’s Friends” collection: my beloved Kitchen Witch!

Meet My Kitchen Witch!

This little charm is truly a piece of history—a genuine relic from the 1970s, maybe the early 80s. These kitchen witches were incredibly popular back in the day, often given as lucky housewarming or engagement gifts. They were meant to hang in your kitchen to ward off bad spirits and keep the pots from boiling over!

My little lady here is about 55 years old, and frankly, she was looking a bit ratty. The years had taken their toll, but there was no way I was going to throw her out. She’s full of memories! So, I decided it was high time for a full-scale, recycled, upcycled makeover to give her a fresh start.

A Crafting Makeover: The Refurbishment

My first step was a gentle cleaning. A simple damp cloth was all it took to give her a quick refresh. Next, I tackled her wardrobe. Her original cloak was soiled and worn, so it had to go.

• The Cloak: I crafted a beautiful new cloak using a piece of felt for the lining and an old piece of fabric I had on hand for the outside. I made sure to choose colors that reminded me of autumn!
• The Hands: Her little hands were also slightly soiled. They were a little tricky to work with, but I managed to make tiny, custom coverlets to give them a clean look.
• Details: Of course, she needed some pizazz! I added sweet little hearts and buttons to her front, and for the loops she hangs from, I used some nice velvetine rope.

The Crown Jewel: Her Amazing New Hat

The most dramatic change was definitely her hat. Her old one was so floppy and cheap-looking—it just wasn’t doing her justice!

The secret weapon for this upgrade? A sock from the dollar store!

I took the sock and stuffed it firmly with polyester fiber to give it a nice, sturdy shape. Then, I knotted the very top of the sock to create a fun, little pom-pom effect. I also made sure to give her a much larger, dramatic brim that now sits perfectly over her cute little eyes. Now that’s a witchy makeover!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

While I was working on her, I couldn’t help but get lost in memories. She reminds me of being about 16 or 17 years old. Back then, it was tradition for young women to be given a cedar chest—or a “hope chest,” as they were often called—for Christmas. You would then start collecting things to fill it, like sheets and towels, in preparation for the day you might get married and start a family.

I actually called mine my “hopeless chest” back then, but I certainly filled it up! I remember buying linens during the “$1.49 days” at Woodwards in Canada. I’m happy to say that almost everything I collected eventually went into my very first apartment after I finished my nursing studies.

This little witch was one of the gifts I received to put inside my chest, so she holds a truly special place in my heart.

She’s All Done!

She’s now about 55 years old, all redone, and hanging proudly in my utility room. I think she’s absolutely adorable, and she definitely brings back lots of lovely memories. It’s amazing what a little bit of crafting and a lot of love can do to update an old good luck charm!

I hope you enjoyed this little story and the makeover journey!

Do enjoy, and talk to you soon! Bye-bye!