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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Branching Out
I've noticed that trees and branches are very popular in artwork and wall decor. I ran across a picture holder wall decor on the Pier 1 website that I really liked.
The simplicity of the swirling branches and leaves inspired me to try something new and pick up a black sharpie and try to copy the design onto some paper. I first tried it on some aqua-colored scrap paper, but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. So, I used a darker brown then framed it with an extra black 10"x 10"frame I had. It didn't cost me a dime, just took about 15 minutes.
Here's how mine turned out-
The Review: Quick and easy. May try making a larger picture, using different colors for the leaves.
The simplicity of the swirling branches and leaves inspired me to try something new and pick up a black sharpie and try to copy the design onto some paper. I first tried it on some aqua-colored scrap paper, but I wasn't happy with how it turned out. So, I used a darker brown then framed it with an extra black 10"x 10"frame I had. It didn't cost me a dime, just took about 15 minutes.
Here's how mine turned out-
The Review: Quick and easy. May try making a larger picture, using different colors for the leaves.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Flip Those Shoes
I had a pair of white flats that I haven't worn in a year, but they are so comfy that I didn't want to part with them. So, I ran across the idea to mod podge fabric to them! I gave it a shot!
Here's how mine turned out-definitely not the greatest and I'll probably tear off the fabric and try it again. But it was a fun experiment! (Ignore the glue on the inside of the shoe.)
I found another pair of mod podge shoes at Recycled Lovelies-
The Review: I shouldn't have used the striped fabric. Colors and stripes were challenging to line up. I will apply a sealant to these to make them more weather-proof. There is an outdoor mod podge that would work too. I'm interested to see how long the fabric will stay down though.
A few thoughtful Shoe Quotes :)
"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
Oprah Winfrey
"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."
Robert W. Service
"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."
Carl Jung
"You want to fall in love with a shoe, go ahead. A shoe can't love you back, but, on the other hand, a shoe can't hurt you too deeply either. And there are so many nice-looking shoes."
Allan Sherman
Here's how mine turned out-definitely not the greatest and I'll probably tear off the fabric and try it again. But it was a fun experiment! (Ignore the glue on the inside of the shoe.)
I found another pair of mod podge shoes at Recycled Lovelies-
The Review: I shouldn't have used the striped fabric. Colors and stripes were challenging to line up. I will apply a sealant to these to make them more weather-proof. There is an outdoor mod podge that would work too. I'm interested to see how long the fabric will stay down though.
A few thoughtful Shoe Quotes :)
"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
Oprah Winfrey
"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."
Robert W. Service
"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."
Carl Jung
"You want to fall in love with a shoe, go ahead. A shoe can't love you back, but, on the other hand, a shoe can't hurt you too deeply either. And there are so many nice-looking shoes."
Allan Sherman
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hooked on Old Books
I've always loved the charm of old children's books. They have a classic innocence to them. Most of all, I love the pictures! So, when I see one at a rummage or thrift store, I usually end up with it. I've been wanting to do something creative with them, and I came up with a couple of ideas.
Jacket or Hat Hanger
(1) The inside back cover of one of the books had adorable artwork. I removed it with a scissors.
(2) I applied mod podge across the page to give it a subtle, clean shine and flatten some of the tears in the paper.
(3) I hot glued a small piece from the girls' lincoln logs collection that would be used as the 'hook'.
(4) Glued tab from vegetable can to the back to be used as a hanger.
Finished product:
The Review: I need an exacto knife! That would have given it a cleaner edge. If I do this project again, I would use a simpler picture and a drawer pull for the hook to add more character. I think mine may be a little too much. I should have also applied a second coat of mod podge.
Kids' Marker Storage
Our beloved "Runaway Bunny" book was torn into pieces, and I was heartbroken because it was such a special book to both girls-obviously they loved it to pieces. Anyway... to how I made this-
(1) Hot glued pages to the cardboard backing of a book of scrapbook paper.
(2) Cleaned an empty vegetable can with soap and water, dried, then hot-glued it over the center of the book pages. (I applied about an inch-width of glue and pressed it against the book pages for 2 minutes.)
(3) There was already a hole at the top of the cardboard, so I used that to hang it.
Finished product:
The Review: If I do this project again, I would glue the book pages to a plank of wood a bit smaller than the board book pages. I would put one or two screws through the can to better secure it. I might also move the can to the bottom. I suppose one could also use a small cake pan.
Jacket or Hat Hanger
(1) The inside back cover of one of the books had adorable artwork. I removed it with a scissors.
(2) I applied mod podge across the page to give it a subtle, clean shine and flatten some of the tears in the paper.
(3) I hot glued a small piece from the girls' lincoln logs collection that would be used as the 'hook'.
(4) Glued tab from vegetable can to the back to be used as a hanger.
Finished product:
The Review: I need an exacto knife! That would have given it a cleaner edge. If I do this project again, I would use a simpler picture and a drawer pull for the hook to add more character. I think mine may be a little too much. I should have also applied a second coat of mod podge.
Kids' Marker Storage
Our beloved "Runaway Bunny" book was torn into pieces, and I was heartbroken because it was such a special book to both girls-obviously they loved it to pieces. Anyway... to how I made this-
(1) Hot glued pages to the cardboard backing of a book of scrapbook paper.
(2) Cleaned an empty vegetable can with soap and water, dried, then hot-glued it over the center of the book pages. (I applied about an inch-width of glue and pressed it against the book pages for 2 minutes.)
(3) There was already a hole at the top of the cardboard, so I used that to hang it.
Finished product:
The Review: If I do this project again, I would glue the book pages to a plank of wood a bit smaller than the board book pages. I would put one or two screws through the can to better secure it. I might also move the can to the bottom. I suppose one could also use a small cake pan.
Hanging By a Wire
I was browsing websites like Pier 1, Pottery Barn, Land of Nod, etc for inspirations for homemade wall decor. I ran across a gilt frame card holder on the Pottery Barn site. Such a great idea but I really didn't want to feel 'gilt-y' for spending $150 on it... so I got to thinking that I might be able to pull that off myself for a just a few dollars. I ran across an old picture I didn't plan to use anymore, but the black frame (somewhat decorated but not a gilt frame) would be perfect for my project! I removed the picture and glass from the frame (carefully using a hammer to remove the staples holding the picture in), then sanded the frame with light-weight sandpaper to give it a worn look. Next, I purchased a picture hook kit at Home Depot for $3 (includes hooks, screw eyes and wire). I screwed in 3 wires across the back of the frame and used paper clips (for now) to hang pictures/ cards from. I couldn't find the non-magnetic bulldog paper clips like the Pottery Barn picture shows.
Pottery Barn-
My finished product:
The Review: Fun project, worth the time. You may need a hammer to start a hole where you want to put the screw. You don't need the wire to be taut. It's actually easier to work with if a little crooked and long because you can adjust it a bit. I later ran across a gold frame that would have looked more like the PB version. Bummer.
Pottery Barn-
My finished product:
The Review: Fun project, worth the time. You may need a hammer to start a hole where you want to put the screw. You don't need the wire to be taut. It's actually easier to work with if a little crooked and long because you can adjust it a bit. I later ran across a gold frame that would have looked more like the PB version. Bummer.
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