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.

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

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.

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.

A New Life

Well, a lot has happened since May. We welcomed a new daughter in September. It has been quite an adjustment for all of us. She is a great baby, but she is still not sleeping through the night. I'm not one that can survive on little sleep. After a few weeks, it really wears me down. I am the first to admit that I am not supermom. As much as I try to juggle everything-taking care of my girls, job, housework, etc, I cannot accomplish it all unless I fall short in something. First priority is taking good care of my kids, as it is for all parents.

We celebrate and appreciate the miracle of experiencing this new life of our new DD, We are growing accustomed to the differences. Now we are a family of 4!